Jamaica's combined martial arts team, the Busta Fighters - FILE
JAMAICA'S COMBINED martial arts team, the Busta Fighters, braved the impending threat of Hurricane Emily on Friday to jet out of the island en route to Britain, where they are down to face-off with with England's national taekwondo team in London tomorrow.
The showdown, part-sponsored by Jamaica Beverages, will pit Jamaica against England, who are ranked among the top five taekwondo teams in the world.
Team captain Jason McKay, who departed the island yesterday, said all is set for the historic match-up.
"The team left ahead of me from Friday but I will be there by tomorrow," he said, confirming Jamaica's participation in the event which is expected to be featured on television in Britain.
The veteran McKay will again lead Jamaica into action alongside team members Arthur Barrows, former national champion Dwayne Brown, karate sensation Kenneth Edwards and current Seido Karate World champion, Bruce McFarlane.
Regular team member, Joel Ellis, has taken a one-year leave of absence from national duties and will not make the trip to London. Sean Murray, a reserve for the past three years, will also be missing.
WARM-UP
England, who are favourites to lift the team event at the International Taekwondo Federation World Champion-ships in Germany later this month, will be using the event as a warm-up.
Jamaica, who last year completed a seven-game unbeaten streak last year in the Pan-American region, will be making their second foray into Europe after taking on Spain in Madrid in March.
The Jamaicans were disqualified but won a rematch, which is scheduled for later this year.
The Combined Team is coached by Claude Chin and is accompanied by judge Keith Edwards, a fifth degree from Ningyen Karate.
McKay has described the match-up as the combined team's "greatest challenge" yet but is convinced his squad will be able to pull off an upset.
