GUYANA’S first female kick boxer, Shenese Bobb, who is a member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), has been shining in her profession ever since she began competing. Now, after securing two gold medals in the recent ‘Best of the Best’ Martial Arts Championships, Bobb continues to be a shining example that women can, indeed, make an indelible mark in almost every profession.

‘Best of the Best’ was held at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, on July 2 in a joint effort between the GPF and Harpy Eagle, a private club instructed by Sensei Troy Bobb.

Thirteen members participated from the GPF and Harpy Eagle Karate Clubs and they carried away 13 gold medals, one silver and one bronze against the Black Hawk, Great Diamond, Best of the Best, Uitvlugt and Wales Karate Clubs.

Bobb’s gold medals were awarded in the areas of sparring and self-defence.

In total, the GPF team walked away with six gold medals and one silver in grappling. The team was also awarded first place for overall team effort, having also been successful in sparring, weapons and karate.

Bobb told the Guyana Chronicle that she feels good any time she competes and will continue to excel in that sport. “With everyday training, discipline and a positive attitude toward the sport, I will continue to succeed and enhance myself in whatever way possible and through my self-defence instructor, Sensei Troy Bobb, I will adhere to his advice and guidance,” Bobb told the Pepperpot Magazine.

She said that Sensei Bobb (who, though they share the same name, has no relation to her) continues to be a mentor and a friend who has guided her since she joined the GPF and for that she is grateful.

Although it is a sport in which not very many women participate, she has developed a love for it and hopes she becomes very successful in many competitions ahead.

“By now I am accustomed to winning and I do not want to be second best and with that thought in mind, I will train hard and compete even harder,” Bobb said.

Bobb became Guyana’s first ever female kick boxing champion at age 20. She first won gold in Trinidad and Tobago in the Real Sport Promotion “Ruff N Tuff” which was held March 4, 2017 in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) regional category.

Bobb is a trainee at the Felix Austin Police College and while undergoing mandatory martial training under the guidance of karate instructor Troy Bobb, she developed a liking for the highly competitive sport.

The GPF Self-Defence Instructor recognised her willingness to learn and she accepted his offer for training, which takes place five days per week for three and a half hours each session.

Bobb told the Pepperpot Magazine that the intense training is not easy, but she knows she is destined for greater things and wanted to push herself to reach a stage where she can successfully compete in the international arena.

The soft-spoken young lady hails from Rosignol, West Coast Berbice. Apart from her kickboxing talent, she is also pursuing a career of being a detective within the GPF.