King rises to the occasion

• Teen's win hands Jamaica fourth Tri-Asian Championship

Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

JAMAICA's combined martial arts team on Saturday notched its 44th consecutive international victory, defeating a select Pacific-Asia team in the Philippine capital of Manila, but not without casualty as heavyweight Kenneth Edwards lost his first ever team match, going down to New Zealand world champion Carl van Roon.

It was Edwards' first loss in a team match in 44 encounters over eight years. Van Roon, who won his country's first International Taekwondo Federation world championship gold medal in heavyweight sparring in Wellington, New Zealand, in March, was beating Edwards for the first time in three team meetings.

Jamaica got a flying start from lightweight Nicholas Dussard on whose shoulders captain Jason McKay had said victory rested from the opening bout in the three-man match.

Dussard put away his Vietnamese opponent in style, but the Jamaicans' plans to take the match in two bouts were derailed in a tense encounter between van Roon and Edwards.

Nerve-wracking encounter

The two stars went at it with van Roon prevailing in a close contest, levelling the score at 1-1, leaving Jamaica depending on 18-year-old Adrian King to win or draw to maintain the combined team's win streak.

McKay said he was always wary of van Roon, but hadn't bargained on Edwards losing a team match.

"I was near panic and never wanted to rely on an 18-year-old with one year of international experience to save us," McKay admitted after the nerve-wracking encounter which the teenager won in textbook fashion to hand Jamaica a 2-1 victory.

King, a late addition to the team after winning a fight-off with Oshane Murray, who was originally selected but lost his spot on the mat due to disciplinary reasons, said it was overwhelming and he was happy to have pulled it off.

"It was a burden I didn't see coming, with Kenneth losing and I having to save the team. However, I thank God he gave me the strength to pull it off," said the elated teen.

Coach Claude Chin said he was happy that a young, rising star came to the fore and showed that Jamaica are not dependent on any one fighter.

"I'm really pleased with Adrian King stepping up and rescuing the team," he said, with McKay adding, "I am proud of the character and spirit he showed in rising to the occasion".

Meanwhile, Dussard was glad the team kept its unbeaten record intact.

"I'm thrilled and it's a great way to end the season. The Asian win is icing on the cake of a long season," he said.

Edwards, though disappointed with his loss, was happy for the team.

"It's a little disappointing to lose. However, I'm thrilled we won anyhow, and proud of King and Dussard who rose to the occasion," he said.