McKay Lady Knights to battle USA

Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

JAMAICA'S female combined martial arts team, the McKay Lady Knights, has accepted a late invitation for a November 13 clash against the United States at the Battle of the Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The young Jamaican squad, with two consecutive wins to its credit - beating Trinidad and Tobago and Vietnam - had intended to enhance its résumé against Caribbean opponents.

However, team coach Jason McKay, who also captains the male team, told The Gleaner that this approach, similar to the one taken by the male team at start-up, is a costly one.

"The 37 consecutive international victories for the male team came at an unbelievable expense of travelling all over the world," McKay pointed out.

"How we're approaching the girls' team, it will not be about logging miles, but fewer matches of higher quality.

"I honestly believe the team, as it is structured now, the three-fighter format, can fight the top-10 teams of the world and be victorious," he added.

Constant training

McKay admitted the invitation was late but said the girls, who are in constant training, are up to the task.

"The confirmation is late but we're going for it," he said. "This also puts pressure on the shoulders of the captain, Sheckema Cunningham, who has been enjoying a season of near perfection, winning every local tournament in sight, including victory at last Saturday's Jamaica Zendo Open in Portmore."

Cunningham also captained Jamaica to victory against Trinidad and Tobago and Vietnam in March before grabbing silver at the US Open's most prestigious female event, black-belt points sparring, AA division, in July.

Fighting for her club, Future Leaders, Cunningham also took gold at the Purple Dragon Karate Championship in Trinidad and Tobago this year.

At 25, Cunningham is the eldest of the McKay Lady Knights trio, which is completed by Danielle Chang and Campion College's Tashauna Grannum.

She acknowledged that her role as anchor and mentor is a tough one and the late invitation will again test her leadership.

"People always say the United States is the best, especially at home, but I guess my coach knows best. He knows our level of training and I believe in him," said the team captain.

"It's always added pressure for me, being captain is never easy, seeing the first person go out and hope she wins, then the same thing for the second fighter.

"At times, it doesn't go that way," Cunningham said. "In Vietnam, first fighter out drew, the second lost and the pressure was on me. I had to go out there and win. If I didn't, we'd have lost. It's never easy being the captain."

Although the USA are keeping their line-up close to their chests, coach McKay said the possibility of Alvin Bernard being their coach suggests they will be tough to beat.

Cunningham said she has no clue who her team will face but is expecting a battle.

"I have no idea who they are coming with but we're preparing. We don't know these girls or anything but we're not going out there to lose."

Cunningham will fight as the team's microweight, Chang lightweight and Grannum will compete for the first time as an adult in the lightweight category.