Combined team sweeps NY Open

Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

JAMAICA's combined martial arts team once again proved its dominance on the North American International Taekwondo Federation circuit, by taking the major titles at the New York Open last Sunday.

The squad, led by captain Jason McKay, included former Calabar star Oshane Murray, now representing the University of Technology. The 18-year-old Jamaica Taekwondo star made an auspicious debut in adult black belt competition, winning gold in two divisions, including the coveted middleweight crown.

Murray's gold medal performances made him the most successful competitor at the tournament. He beat compatriot and fellow team member Adrian King for the middleweight title, a division which was dominated by the Jamaicans.

King showed his best form this season, mowing down opponents before being stopped by Murray in a close encounter.

Nicholas Dussard easily took the lightweight black belt title to move two points ahead of teammate Kenneth Edwards in their race for combined team Fighter of the Year, which carries a major cash prize of $130,000.

Captain McKay ended up on the wrong side of a change in the competition's weight requirements and was placed in the super heavyweight division. Going up against big six-footers, the 5' 8" McKay put up a battling performance against Russia's Kodjibek Makbullov, earning a bronze medal in the division won by Puerto Rico's Carlos Munoz.

The New York Open was the Jamaicans penultimate fixture before taking on the Philippines in what should be their season-ending international.

The Jamaicans' return to Asia is being anticipated by media reports of the defence of their Tri-Asian title.

However, McKay, when asked whether Jamaica were confirmed for the Tri-Asian Championship, declined to comment.

He instead spoke about Murray and King's performances in New York.

"I think the development seen in King, in particular this season, demonstrates his responsiveness to the level of training and exposure he has received. I am really impressed with him," McKay pointed out.

McKay and King's performances at the New York Open earned them enough safe points to maintain their spots on the combined team for the 2012 season, staving off a trio of teenagers who had racked up points on the local circuit.

Ackeem Lawrence, Shamar Morgan and Adrian Moore, all participants in Jamaica Taekwondo's high school programme, made strong bids this summer to make the combined team squad.