Manna Fighters win big in Philly

JAMAICA's top heavyweight martial artist, Kenneth Edwards, made a smashing 2011 international debut, as the Manna Fighters, formerly Busta Fighters, won all three black belt divisions at Saturday's Red Tiger International in Philadelphia.

Edwards landed the heavyweight crown, whereas teammate Nicholas Dussard won the light middleweight and female star Sheckema Cunnigham won the lightweight title.

It was their first outing under new sponsorship and the Manna Fighters proved their branding might have changed, but their international form was the same.

Whereas Kevin McDowell, Adrian King and Shaun Barnes were eliminated early in the heavyweight division, Edwards destroyed his rivals to take the 'big men' crown.

The light middleweight saw Dussard facing teammate Scott Wright in the semi-finals before he went on to take the title.

taking the gold

Cunningham, fresh off her historic bronze at the International Taekwondo Federation's World Championships, mowed down the competition to take gold in the female lightweight division.

The only division the Jamaicans entered and failed to take gold from was the heavyweight black belt female, in which independent fighter Karyll Bennett-Robinson, seeking to earn points to make next season's combined female team, won a bronze medal.

Jason McKay, captain of the male combined team, travelled as coach for both male and female fighters.

"It was a fantastic performance by Sheckema, Nicholas and Kenneth," he said. "It was also a fantastic way to start the new season with a new brand. I couldn't have asked for more, to enter three and win three."