by Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

Jamaica's combined martial arts team lifts their coach, Claude Chin aloft after topping hosts Japan and the Philippines to win the Tri-Asian Championships in Gifu on Saturday. - contributed

BATTERED and bruised, Jamaica's Combined Martial Arts Team on Saturday notched its biggest ever win by topping hosts Japan and the Philippines to land the first Tri-Asian Team Championship in Gifu.

Due home on Wednesday, captain Jason McKay is said to be nursing a fractured foot whereas Kenneth Edwards suffered a broken toe and Arthur Barrows a smashed nose.

However, the injuries were well worth the prize, as Jamaica will return to the island with outright holds on two cups, the Tri-Asian Trophy and the Jamaica-Japan Friendship Cup, as well as a share of the Busta Gold Cup.

Coach Claude Chin was ecstatic, saying he knew his team could not have lost.

"I thank Jamaica Beverages for their support because this team is potentially one of the best in the world," he said.

McKay was also thrilled.

"Japan presented a formidable squad but they can be contented with the knowledge that they were beaten by the best," said the proud captain.

"I have always maintained that Poland and North Korea are the only teams in the world, in with a chance against the Busta Fighters," he added.

"The fact that North Korea is not a possibility because of political issues, I intend to send a challenge out to Poland and China as challengers next year."

Friendship Cup

The three-cup tournament started with the Jamaica-Japan Friendship Cup.

Jamaica fielded a team made up of McKay, Barrows, Edwards, Sean Cummings and Bruce McFarlane along with junior Nicholas Dussard.

First out, Dussard started the ball rolling by demolishing his Japanese opponent, Haruo Hirose, in a one-sided affair.

Jamaica next sent out team star Kenneth Edwards, who, in a very close encounter over Reesung Bong, sealed Jamaica's second victory.

Japan, on the ropes, and four points down in the five-man encounter, sent out heavyweight champion Taizo Sugaya to face Barrows.

However, the legendary Jamaican fighter produced a vintage performance to give the Busta Fighters a six-point lead to seal the Cup.

Tri-Asian Championship

With the first showdown out of the way, the Tri-Asian Championship started with invitees Jamaica against the Philippines.

Alrick Wanliss replaced Dussard as the junior fighter and Dwayne Brown was called in by captain Mckay ahead of McFarlane.

The Philippines' first man out was micro-weight champion Rowell Danque to face Wanliss, who was fighting in his first international match.

However the Montegonian displayed nerves of steel to give the Philippine a lesson in sparring, beating him 15-3.

Jamaica's next fighter on the mat was Sean Cummings and the Philippines answered with their middleweight champion, Ferdinand Paypon.

The match resulted in a one-sided affair. Cummings dominated with a series of three-point head shots, giving Jamaica a four-point lead.

Desperately seeking a victory, Japan sent out their heavyweight tae kwon do title-holder, Geoffery Tan Singun, to which McKay responded by calling on Brown, the Busta Fighters' top performer for 2005.

In a hard-hitting affair, Brown poured on power blows to prevent his Philippine opponent from taking control, sealing Jamaica's spot in the final of the Tri-Asian with a match-up against Japan who afterward defeated the Philippines 8-2.

In the final, Jamaica sent out Wanliss to face Hirose, who was no match for the hot junior fighter.

Wanliss, in another stunning display, dazzled his opponent with high and low kicks, giving Jamaica a valuable lead.

Thrilling display

The Japanese responded by sending out Bong to face Kenneth Edwards, who put on a thrilling display to give Jamaica a four-point lead.

Trailing on the cards, the Japanese sent out heavyweight Sugaya, who was down to face the diminutive Omar Rose. However, McKay made a tournament-winning move, calling out McFarlane, the world Seido Karate champion instead.

The gamble paid off as the Japanese was unable to get past the side kicks of the karate world champion, who gave invitees Jamaica a six-point lead and a hold on the inaugural Tri-Asian Trophy.

In the Busta Gold Cup, Japan made a smashing rally to restore home pride by winning the heavy and middleweight divisions, putting Jamaica against the ropes.

However, their attempts were not met with complete success, as Dussard and Wanliss won gold medals in the junior and lightweight black belt divisions, alongside silver medals from McKay, Rose and Cummings giving Jamaica a share of the Cup.

Jamaica are slated to defend their Caribbean title in December against hosts Cuba Trinidad and Tobago and the Dominican Republic.