The first major tournament of the local martial arts season and the Busta Series, the Jamaica Taekwondo Open, takes over the UTech Auditorium for two days, starting this morning.

The tournament, sponsored by Jamaica Beverages, through its Busta brand of soft drinks, has consistently attracted a wide range of martial artists, ranging from pee wees to international black belt stars.

Jamaica's internationally rated black belt stars will again be the main draws at the event, pitting taekwondo practitioners within different schools and fighting styles against eact other.

Take lightweight division

Taekwondo's Nicholas Dussard is expected to take the lightweight division.

However, he is expected to be tested by fellow Jamaica combined martial arts teammate, Dwayne Vascianne, a recent invitee.

Strong challenges are also expected in the middleweight division, with the absence of Omar Rose and Arthur Barrows' condition said to be suspect, leaving the division somewhat open to upcoming youngsters.

The heavyweight division, by far, will be the most hard-fought with Kenneth Edwards and Shawn Cummngs in peak form.

However, veteran Dwayne Brown, who barely kept his place on the combined team, is on the comeback trail and cannot be ruled out.

Another interesting division will be the junior female blackbelt with Tashanua Grannum being undefeated locally last year. However, Danielle Chang of Future Leaders is always a tough contender and is more experienced in the division.

What has become the feature event of the tournament, the high schools' competition, is expected to be a blast again, featuring Calabar, Kingston College, Wolmer's, Jamaica College and Cornwall College from Montego Bay.

The high schools' competition is the most sentimental showdown of the tournament, with passions running deep.

Calabar and KC are expected to start favourites. However, Wolmer's coach, Herbert Stewart, is touting his team to upset the top two.