World-rated van Roon has high praises for Ja's martial arts team

Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

Carl van Roon, an international star on the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) world circuit and the first New Zealander to win a gold medal in the marquis heavyweight division, when he lifted the title at the world championships in Wellington earlier this year, had high praises for Jamaica's combined martial arts team ahead of facing the unit in Manila today.

Van roon will face Jamaica's Kenneth Edwards in the three-man team match at the Tri-Asian Championship, which Jamaica has won a staggering three times and are unbeaten defending champions.

"I am grateful to be able to compete against Kenneth again," van Roon said yesterday from the Philippines. "We've had some good fights over the years. I respect him a lot and he's a really great guy. We're both growing from challenging each other."

high regards

The Auckland native will lead a select Pacific-Asia team against Jamaica, hoping to snap the combined team's 43-match winning streak in a showdown which has been dubbed 'Thrilla in Manila' by local martial arts enthusiasts.

Van Roon said he has high regards for the Jamaicans who hosted the International Sports Karate Association World Team Sparring Championship at the National Indoor Sports Centre in July 2010.

He scored two sensational victories on his way to landing the individual heavyweight title whereas Jamaica's combined team won the team match.

Summing up Jamaica's team for tomorrow's encounter, van Roon described the combined team as being "dynamic".

"They're physically talented guys, very dedicated, always looking for ways to improve and new challenges," he said. They're dynamic in terms of style and they don't hold anything back."

Responding to Jamaica's coach, Claude Chin, who said Edwards was a stronger team-sparring fighter, even though he's not as individually decorated as van Roon, who has the distinction of being crowned best overall fighter at consecutive world championships - 2009 in Mar Del Plata, Argentina and this year at home - the New Zealander somewhat agreed, but hinted that he intends to change that in Manila.

"There's some truth in that. What Claude Chin said, I agree with him but I am working on things to prepare for Kenneth and I am sure he's doing the same thing for me, so I am looking for a good fight."

Van Roon said he wasn't too familiar with his team members but will make-do.

"The Asian fighters, I don't know them too much. I might have met them at the Asian Champs last year but we'll make the most of what we have. In the end, it's all good for international taekwondo," he said.

He is already looking forward to returning to Jamaica for the World Cup in 2014.

"I would love to come again. We had a great time in Negril and are really grateful to share our passion for martial arts," he said.