Chin full of optimism for Gold Cup

Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

COACH Claude Chin said last weekend's International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) Pan Am Champion-ships was the perfect warm-up for Jamaica's combined martial arts team ahead of the World Continental Team-Fighting Championship for the International Sports Karate Association Gold Cup.

The Gold Cup, set for the National Indoor Sports Centre this Sunday, will feature three-time champions Jamaica, Argentina, Poland, Canada and New Zealand.

Chin said he was especially pleased with the performance of Alrick Wanliss, now rated as the world's top microweight.

Wanliss, who will be the first man to take the mat for Jamaica's five-man team, won ITF gold recently at the Pan Am champs in La Plata, Argentina.

The Montegonian was joined on the medal podium in Argentina by team captain Jason McKay and Shiahh Shukura.

McKay won silver in the black belt masters division, whereas Shukura took home the hyperweight bronze.

Chin said Wanliss, who created history in 2008 by being the only Jamaican to have ever won a gold medal at an ITF world championship by winning his division at the World Cup in Italy, should give his team a flying start on Sunday.

top form

"He's on top of his game form right now, the best I have seen him, both mentally and physically, prepared for the Gold Cup.

"For the Gold Cup, he'll be up against the three best fighters in the world - Maxime Bujold of Canada, Mark Trotter of New Zealand and Amit Batra of Poland.

"Along with Wanliss, those are the top microweights in the world but, with his show in the Pan Am, he should win," Chin pointed out.

The team coach said he was also looking to Nicholas Dussard and Kenneth Edwards to rebound from losses in Argentina.

"The rest of the guys in the team are also prepared. Dussard got a raw deal in Argentina. He was dejected after his loss against an Argentinian in the quarter-finals, but his main focus is still the Gold Cup.

"The same thing goes for Kenneth Edwards. The new guys, Scott Wright and Kevin McDowell, are middle and hyperweights, respectively.

"Scott gave a good account of himself in Vietnam and has improved leaps and bounds. McDowell has also improved since last year. His fitness is in doubt. He has a groin injury but should be ready for the Gold Cup."

Chin said Argentina was, overall, a good experience.

McKay showed his best form in three seasons by storming into the final after rolling over an Argentinian in the semi-final. A close battle in the final saw the much shorter McKay giving the Argentinian finalist a run for his money.

However, he had to settle for a silver despite outscoring his opponent in the first round.

Shukura showed the loss of his slot to McDowell to represent Jamaica in the Gold Cup has not dented his will. Shukura shocked all to pull off a surprise win to snatch the black belt hyperweight bronze.