Claude Chin

PRESSURE continues to mount on Jamaica's combined martial arts team, defending champions of the Busta US Open World Continenetal Team Fighting Championships, with the confirmation of Vietnam for the event in Orlando, Florida, early next month.

As the final touches are applied to Jamaica's preparations, Vietnam's confirmation for the six-nation showdown is being seen as the greatest challenge to the combined team's five-year unbeaten streak.

Vietnam will represent continental Asia, New Zealand return as the Oceanic region participants, Germany represent Europe, Argentina will be on show for South America and hosts United States will carry the flag of North America - all hell-bent on dethroning three-time champions Jamaica.

Whereas Jamaica have got past all their rivals in winning the inaugural tournament in 2007 and making a successful defence last year, Vietnam represent a new and dangerous challenge.

Unknown but renowned

It is the first time in many years that the Vietnamese will compete outside their country, as a team, and are unknown but very much renowned for their martial arts prowess.

Jamaica's six-man squad, captained by Jason McKay, will have Alrick Wanliss as microweight, Nicholas Dussard doing lightweight duties, Kenneth Edwards as its lead fighter and the other two positions filled by Shiah Shukura and Shawn Cummings.

Veteran Arthur Barrows will be absent from the line-up after missing training for two weeks.

Coach Claude Chin said although Jamaica's task is considered a "monumental challenge", the combined team should pull through.

Best microweight

"Jamaica still have the advantage with the best microweight in the world, Wanliss, and Dussard, who is, without a doubt, the best lightweight at the tournament," he said.

"This should give Jamaica a distinct advantage before Edwards hits the mat as lead fighter," Chin added.

The combined team has gone unbeaten since 2003, winning 17 straight matches, all away from home, including two Busta US Open World Continenetal Team Fighting Championships.