Hundreds of stickfighting followers flooded the Recreation Ground to be part of the preliminary rounds of the National Stickfighting Competition, which kicked off at Ojoe Road, Sangre Grande, on Friday evening.
The packed audience included foreigners who came from Canada and the United States to witness this folk art of T&T.
Stickfighters came from Couva, Biche, Mayaro, Talparo and the home ground, Sangre Grande, giving their best performance to qualify for one of the 12 places in the semi-finals which takes place in Diego Martin.
Entertaining the packed crowd was reigning stickfighting champion, Selwyn John, who had a tough battle with Labeau Carlton to secure a place in the semifinals.
Other stickfighters included some of T&T’s best bois men such as Terrence Marcano, Dolland Lewis, Ronald Lewis, Kevin Cooper, Anthony Cooper and Anderson Marcano.
The show ended with eight queens vying for Miss Sangre Grande by parading on stage.
A heavy police presence provided security and safety for patrons.