Jarvis Verdell’s (Bullet’s) visit to Jamaica

On August 25th, 2024 Bullet embarked on a journey to Jamaica with coach Rick.

This was Bullet’s first time flying. Like a good wrestler, he did not show his nervousness while in flight although I did see urine running down his leg as he rushed to the bathroom saying, “Coach I gotta go to the bathroom.” Bullet and coach Rick went to coach’s house in the parish of St. Mary, roughly thirty minutes from Ocho Rios, which is one of Jamaica’s tourist meccas. St. Mary is rich in history since  it is the home of James Bond beach and Henry Morgan the pirate also trotted and conquered ocean-bearing vessels and other foes throughout time.

Bullet quickly embraced Jamaican culture as the Jamaican people embraced him. He grooved to the beats of reggae music, consumed curried goat, and swam in the beautiful Caribbean Sea at Pagee beach.He also took the plunge and drank his first serving ever of real Jamaican coconut water at a local fruit stand on the roadside.

Bullet also had his first international scrimmage at a wrestling camp that Future champs of Texas and Ocho Rios wrestling club hosted at Jacks River primary school in St Mary. He scrimmaged with Theron Green-Rose from Jamaica and  managed to score a few points on Theron Green-Rose.

Coach Rick’s former teammates from Toronto, Coach John Cho and Coach Marlon Sherlane also gave Bullet some valuable wrestling mat techniques.

Bullet loves Jamaica, and Jamaica loves Bullet!