McKay - File

Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

JAMAICA'S COMBINED Martial Arts team, the Busta Fighters, has been invited to take part in the elite US Open World Continental Team Fighting championships on July 5 in Orlando, Florida.

The championships feature invited teams representing each continent. Invited countries will have their airfares fully paid by the organisers of the tournament.

Jamaica's Combined Team will represent the Caribbean and Central American region and are expected to start favourites after beating major teams from Asia and Europe.

Although yet to be confirmed, England are set to represent Europe, while Japan and the United States could be Asia and North America's representatives.

Selections are still undecided for Africa and South America.

Team captain Jason McKay said the Combined Team would be using the July 5 tournament to cement its claim as the top team in continuous fighting in the world.

Most important

"This particular championship is the most important we have ever embarked on as it puts us in a super-six league and allows us to be able to win a world championship with all the major countries involved," McKay explained.

"The super-six format will also give us a perfect opportunity to display speed and skill rather than the regular format, which focuses on endurance," he said.

"All our efforts will be generated towards the tournament and we're in training for it with at least one international tournament planned as a warm-up," said McKay, pointing out that the invited teams are likely to be International Tae-kwon-Do Federation national teams.

The Combined Team squad will be chosen from McKay, Dwayne Brown, Arthur Barrows, Nicholas Dussard, Alrick Wanliss, Bruce McFarlane, Kenneth Edwards and other members in training.