Dussard
THE JAMAICA Combined Martial Arts Team prevailed on an away-team advantage last Sunday to clinch the Busta Shield Series after a thrilling draw with the Dominican Republic in Santiago.
After grabbing an early lead following junior black belt Nicholas Dussard's victory over Jose Bolivar, a trio of draws was followed by Jermaine Lue's loss to Ulyses Chavez, ending the five-match contest with both teams on equal points.
Chavez used his height advantage to get past Lue, forcing a tie-breaker, from which Jamaica only needed a draw, as the visiting team, to clinch the Busta Shield.
The Dominican Republic sent out world bronze medallist Norberto Tavares, a Dominican of Jamaican parentage to which captain Jason McKay responded by calling on Bruce McFarlane, the heaviest and tallest member of the Combined Team.
SHOULDER INJURY
Jamaica were dealt a blow when McFarlane suffered a shoulder injury midway the match-up, resulting in two other fighters taking the mat for bout seven, a rematch between Lue and Chavez.
Lue redeemed himself, battering his opponent for most of the round. Chavez, attempting a jump reverse kick which Lue blocked, fell and broke his arm.
With the match still a draw after the required two tie-breakers, visiting Jamaica lifted the shield by virtue of being the away team.
An overjoyed McKay said the Dominican Republic encounter was the most difficult of the Combined Team's challengers for the Busta Shield.
"It was tough but it qualified us for entry into an Asian tournament this summer," said McKay.
"We will be going up against Japan and the Philippines to prove our claim that Jamaica has one of the best martial arts teams in the world," he added.
