Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

COACH Claude Chin on Thursday said he was pleased with the form of Nicholas Dussard and Kenneth Edwards ahead of next month's third International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) World Cup, in Italy from October 15 to 20.

Both fighters were impressive last weekend, winning their respective divisions at the North American and Caribbean Martial Arts Championships during the New York International Taekwondo Open in Queens, New York.

Dussard competed in the lightweight division and walked through the early rounds, defeating Jamaican teammate Alrick Wanliss in the semi-final before taking on the United States' Anderson Chang in a tough final.

Dominated heavy division

Edwards dominated the heavyweight division, easily gliding through without much resistance.

Dussard and Edwards will be among Jamaica's contingent in Italy and Chin said the New York warm-up was good for both.

"Kenneth performed wonderful, everything I expected of him," said Chin.

"We made some adjustments to his fighting technique and he adjusted perfectly. They were two guys from Poland and he dominated his three fights," the Jamaica coach added.

It took a strong last half for Dussard to rally and score a win against Chang, but Chin was also impressed with the Wolmer's Boys' sixth-former.

"It was also a strong performance from Nicholas, who beat Wanliss in the semi-final round before beating Chang in the lightweight final.

"For this event, I must praise Wanliss, who moved up from micro to lightweight. However, Nicholas is in excellent shape and should medal at the World Cup.

"It will be a bit harder than when he won at the Pan Am Championships as most of the good lightweights are from Europe but, with the shape he's in, should medal," Chin added.

Worked out flaws

"It's the same with Kenneth. I've worked out a couple flaws in sparring and if he sticks to it he should medal."

Jamaica's martial artists have been enjoying tremendous success in recent years through the combined martial arts team, the two-time defending US Open World Continental Team Fighting champions, as well as Jamaica Seido, four-time world champions.

However, ITF glory continues to evade the Jamaicans, who are aiming at a breakthrough in Italy.

Jamaica's five-man team to the North American and Caribbean Games also racked up points for selection to the combined team squad for the 2009 season.

The team comprised captain Jason McKay, Arthur Barrows, Edwards, Dussard and Wanliss.

Barrows got a difficult draw, pitted against the United States' Emmanuel Carlos and was eliminated in the first round.

A bewildered McKay, at 190 lb, was drawn to compete against a 250 lb American super heavyweight standing at six feet, four inches.

The veteran Jamaican and team captain had to call on his ring skills to use superior speed and legwork to outscore his opponent before tragedy struck. McKay tore a calf muscle in the closing seconds of the bout, leaving his participation in next month's Taekwondo World Cup in question.