Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer
Jason McKay (right), captain of Jamaica's combined martial arts 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 win the team showdown 4-2. - Contributed
THE eyes of the local martial arts community will be on the national combined team next month when the squad embarks upon its historic and ambitious Asian tour.
No western nation has ever traveled to take on Asian giants, Japan, in their backyard, more so Jamaica, a small Caribbean nation virtually unknown in the wider world of martial arts.
Japan have never been beaten at home. Their losses have mostly been in Europe before a panel of foreign judges, evidenced by a 2004 World Championships loss to Poland.
Ironically, it was the same unfavourable away conditions that played a part in the concept of Jamaica's Combined Martial Arts Team, which travels with its own judges, ensuring equitable officiating.
The combined team's 'Road to Japan' started in December 2001 after a hastily put together team defeated Cuba in Havana.
However, the Cubans were ready the following year and the combined team suffered a humiliating loss on their return to Havana.
Financial assistance
It was back to the drawing board for the combined team which, as karate movies depict, was put to task by coach Claude Chin of Jamaica Tae Kwon Do.
Financial assistance came from Jamaica Beverages through its Busta brand of soft drinks, resulting in the team being branded the 'Busta Fighters'.
The Busta Fighters got their showdown with Cuba in a two-match series in December 2003 and January 2004 and emerged as champions of the hotly-disputed match-up by way of disqualification.
Confident after their Cuban victory, the combined team embarked upon a seven-nation win streak in 2004, beating the United States and all Caribbean rivals to set a national team record.
In 2005, captain Jason McKay looked outside the Caribbean, eyeing Europe - Spain and England.
A tour to Spain ended in a no-decision after the Busta Fighters protested Kenneth Edwards' disqualification.
England was equally tough as the team was declared winners following an audit of the scorecards.
Victory in the inaugural Busta Shield over Trinidad, the Dominican Republic and Cuba rounded off 2005 for the combined team.More success followed in 2006 as the Busta Fighters started laying the foundation for Japan.
A big win over the U.S. at the Battle at the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey, was followed by the Busta Fighters winning Jamaica's first team gold medal at the U.S. Open World Championships in February.
Jamaica's gold medal perfor-mance improved their rankings considerably, making them eligible to face the world's top teams.
The invitation to Japan followed but Jamaica face a tough time in Asia as the bout is already being dubbed as a showdown against the 'gaijin', the Japanese term for a foreigner.
Big coup
McKay, chief selector and organiser, admitted Jamaica will be up against it in Japan.
"At the end of the day, judges call fights and we will have equal representation," he said.
"If Jamaica wins, it will be the biggest coup in the history of local martial arts," he added.
