Jason McKay (right), captain of Jamaica's Combined Martial Atrs Team, trades punches with his Trinidadian opponent during the October 16 Busta Challenge Cup tournament in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. McKay drew the bout to ensure Jamaica won the team showdown 4-2.
Ainsley Walters, Staff Reporter
JAMAICA'S COMBINED Martial Arts Team, the Busta Fighters, will be back in action early 2006 following a highly successful international run in which they went unbeaten for a second consecutive year.
Coach Claude Chin is especially upbeat ahead of an Asian tour planned for the summer of 2006.
"We're looking at maybe China, Japan or another Asian country," he said. "That will be really tough, but hopefully we'll do well.
"The squad is on a break for the holidays but will be back in training the first week of January ahead of a specially arranged rematch against Trinidad in February," he added.
Trinidad and Tobago was one of the Caribbean teams which the combined squad dominated this year before rounding off their tally with a marvellous performance against Cuba earlier this month.
"We did exceptionally well this year, and I am really proud of the guys," said Chin. "We dominated the Caribbean, but had to dig deep in Europe against England and Spain."
A hectic international schedule saw the Busta Fighters travelling to Madrid, Spain in March where their bout against the hosts ended in a no-decision following the disqualification of Kenneth Edwards.
It was similarly tough in England where the Jamaicans were awarded victory following an audit of the scorecards.
Trinidad and Tobago were no match for the Jason McKay-led squad in October and old rivals Cuba felt the sting of the first ever nine-man squad from Jamaica.
The Busta Fighters didn't have to raise a hair for their next scheduled match as the Dominican Republic immediately postponed their bout following Jamaica's domination of Cuba.
WARM-UP
February's rematch against Trinidad and Tobago will serve as a warm-up for the Busta Fighters, who will compete for the Busta Shield before returning to the twin-island republic later in the year for the annual three-nation Busta Cup.
"We're aiming at Japan and China for the summer and the United States in September in New York before taking on Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad at the back end of 2006 in an attempt to break our previous record of seven consecutive wins recorded in 2004," said Chin.
Squad members had mixed fortunes throughout the year. Kenneth Edwards, who was undefeated in 2004 and the most successful fighter, had a bit of bad luck after being disqualified in Spain. He drew his following bouts in England and Trinidad but made a grand return in Cuba.
Dwayne Brown won in Spain, but was forced to retire hurt in England. However, he rebounded to record a victory in Trinidad before drawing in Cuba.
Bruce McFarlane, the World Seido champion, saved the best for last, drawing all his bouts before producing a masterful performance to win in Cuba.
McKay played the anchor role for much of 2005, playing the captain's role in England, Trinidad and Cuba, ensuring his team maintained the advantage in the final bout.
Arthur Barrows, vice captain and a superstar of 2004, had been plagued with injuries this year following his draw in England.
However, the newcomers to the squad - Nicholas Dussard, Jermaine Lue, Frank Otto, Sean Cummings and Omar Rose - have shown great potential, either winning or drawing against Cuba.
McKay believes 16-year-old Dussard, who was recently honoured with the Prime Minister's Youth Award for Excellence, is Jamaica's great hope in the sport.
"Dussard appears to be a star and could carry this team for the next two years," he said. "He's already a world bronze medallist and expected to be a bright spark in 2006."
