( L - R ) Nicholas Dussard, Kenneth Edwards - Contributed

COMBINED martial arts team coach, Claude Chin, yesterday said his nine-man squad, which left the island this morning for Cuba, is prepared for anything its Caribbean rivals might have in store in Havana.

Jamaica's nine-man squad, led by captain Jason McKay, takes on Cuba with Venezuela being a possibility in Saturday's Caribbean games, the combined team's annual season-opener, which they have won five years in a row.

Close cuban battle

However, Chin said he expects another close battle from Cuba, who, each year, carefully record and analyse the bouts and styles of Jamaican fighters.

"The Cubans have fighting spirit," said Chin. "They love to compete and over the years, what they have been doing is to tape all of our fights and watch us.

"They know our fighters but what I've done is make some adjustments to how we kick. What they saw last year will be different. We will surprise them again," Chin vowed.

Jamaica, again sponsored by Jamaica Beverages, through its Busta brand, have a newcomer in the travelling party, Dwayne Vascianne of Future Leaders.

However, Chin said the newcomer would not be blooded in the five-man team competition, taking part instead in a middleweight contest.

"The persons I confidently expect to win are Nicholas Dussard and Kenneth Edwards. I am banking on those two. They have the form going in and they have been training very well," said Chin, who has led the combined team on an undefeated 27-match run since 2003, including last year's defence of the World Continental Team-fighting Championship.

"Of the others, Barrows is still on top of his game," Chin added. "Vascianne just joined the team, at the end of November. It's still too early. He has potential but it will be difficult for him. He has only been with us for three weeks but his attitude is good and he will be one for the future."

Squad intact

Barring heavyweight Dwayne Brown, microweight Alkrick Wanliss and the addition of Vascianne, the squad is basically intact.

Brown is unavailable, having failed to attend camp and Wanliss, the International Taekwondo Federation gold medallist, has other engagements.

Cuba does not have a microweight to compete this year.

Team members, led by back-from-injury McKay, are brimming with confidence, boasting seven world-class medallist in their line-up.

McKay is seconded by vice captain Arthur Barrows who despite having an average season last year, appears to be in tip-top condition.

Omar Rose and Bruce McFarlane, both former World Seido karate champions, along with Shawn Cummings and Shiahh Shukura of Montego Bay, super heavyweight silver medallist at last year's US Open, complete the squad.

"Their lead-up tournament, the McKay Blackbelt Invitational, was sufficient and they're on par, motivated and everything," said Chin.

"They always have a hard match against Cuba but they are prepared, in shape and ready for the challenge."