JAMAICA’s combined martial arts teams scored historic victories recently, winning tiebreakers to top the Tri-Asian Championship in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Ningen Karate’s Kenneth Edwards, leading the men for the first time, maintained his brilliant international form and handed Jamaica victory after the combined national teams of Vietnam and Poland rallied from two bouts down to pull level at 2-2 in an exciting match.

The women’s captain, Future Leader’s Sheckema Cunningham, also showed she was more than worthy of her armband, winning back-to-back fights, including the tiebreaker to give the Jamaican women’s trio a victory over their Vietnamese counterparts.

Edwards was called on to captain the men’s team after Jason McKay had to act as stand-in coach. McKay had to fill in for coach Claude Chin, who was forced to step out of his normal role, instead acting as Jamaica’s second official.

Despite the changes, Jamaica again left Asia as champions, but not after both teams caused the delegation anxious moments.

McKay sent in World Cup microweight champion Alrick Wanliss of Jamaica Tae Kwon Do and the world’s top ‘little man’ easily got past his Vietnamese opponent.

Nicholas Dussard was also on song, the International Tae Kwon Do Federation (ITF) champion, cruising past a Vietnamese rival.

Needing a win to clinch victory, Jamaica seemed well set, but hit a rut when Bruce McFarlane went down injured in his first match for Jamaica since 2008.

The team slipped further when combined team newcomer Scott Wright was put up against Poland’s super heavyweight and went down fighting after a spunky performance.

The loss put Jamaica’s unbeaten 34-match streak on the line. However, in came Edwards and the Ningen Karate captain did not disappoint, making a cautious start before outpointing Poland’s heavyweight.

Jamaica Beverage’s general manager Stephen Dawkins lauded the Busta Fighters’ historic achievements.

“Busta is pleased to be associated with this phenomenal feat and Jamaica Beverages is happy to be a proud sponsor of the Busta Fighters,” he said.

“We look forward to greater things, more so the Gold Cup, coming up in Jamaica on July 4 at the National Indoor Sports Centre,” Dawkins pointed out.

“Also, look out for the Busta Fighters in a school near you soon, as we are going to do a school tour across the country. We’re trying to get the kids associated with the values and discipline of martial arts,” he added.