Oneil Odel, 21, was crowned King of the Rock-the 2012 National Carnival Stick-fighting Champion-early yesterday morning in Mayaro.
There were double celebrations in Odel's community of Sixth Company, Moruga, as he and his brothers, Ronald, and Donald Lewis, known as the Valiant Brothers, were also declared King of the Gayelle in the same competition. The two category finals, held under the auspices of the National Carnival Competition (NCC), involved four gayelles, from Cuche, Mc Bean, St Mary's and Sixth Company, each consisting of three stick-fighters against each other to see who drew first blood. A fighter from each gayelle also competed for top honours in the King of the Rock finals.
Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Winston "Gypsy" Peters who opened the gayelle said he has had discussions with Sports Minister Anil Roberts about making stick fighting an international sporting event. He also pledged to increase the first prize from $30,000 to $50,000 next year and would embarked on a training programme for young people interested in the art form. Before the start of the show, which was two hours later than its 7 pm scheduled start, the fighters gathered in the gayelle to perform a traditional ritual with puncheon rum and fire. Then, with bois (wood) in hand they "karayed" (danced) before the flames to the infectious rhythm of the drums to invoke the "spirits." During a battle between Odel and third placed Evon Ralph, police had to be called in to quell a disturbance involving supporters of the two fighters
Odel's supporters became vociferous as they accused Ralph of fighting nasty. They accused Ralph of deliberately striking Odel on his hands, which a is not acceptable in stick-fighting. Ralph's fans, on the other hand, called for the judges to stop the fight and declare him the winner because he drew Odel's blood. The fighter who draws first blood wins, one person explained. However, in the end, it was the Valiant Brothers who dominated the competition. Odel, an employee of Petrotrin, collected a first prize of $15,000, while he and his brothers will share the $30,000 purse won in the gayelle category. He said he was overjoyed at having won the competition, in his second attempt. He placed third last year. He dedicated the victory to his late father, King Middle (Vernon Odel Jr), who dominated the competition when he was alive.
