HIGH SCHOOLERS make up the major part of the 70-strong Jamaican contingent at the United States Martial Arts Open with strong representation from Calabar, Kingston College, Wolmer's, Jamaica College, Cornwall College, Campion College and St Andrew High, among others.

Last year the Jamaicans returned with a planeload of trophies and are aiming to once again prove they're among the best juniors in the world as they face competitors from all over the globe this weekend at the Coronado resort in Orlando, Florida.

38-strong contingent

With well-known names on the local taekwondo circuit such as Campion's Tashauna Grannum, Calabar's Oshane Murray, JC's Akeem Lawrence and Merl Grove's Ashieka Dyer joined by a 38-strong contingent from Ningen Karate and Rising Suns, this year is tipped to be the strongest ever for Jamaica's juniors.

Martial arts has exploded in popularity in Jamaica over the last few years, largely due to the success of the combined martial arts team and a massive thrust by Jamaica Taekwondo, which offers free classes at boys' schools across the island.

This has led to annual success at the US Open, with Jamaica's teenagers being among the most exciting performers.

Martial arts, which started in Jamaica as far back as the 1950s, has always had its support group. However, Jamaica Taekwondo's recent thrust, culminating with success at the US Open, has been widely attributed to local martial arts practitioner and and captain of the combined team, Jason McKay, whose relentless push for the last four years has borne fruit.

"Martial arts has been kept alive by people like Errol Lynn, Tony Robinson, Peter Lue and many other instructors, such as Lambert Plummer, who managed to keep the art going, maturing a sporting side, which has been effectively marketed for the last four years," McKay pointed out.

"It is the marketing of the sport that has made the difference in popularity, as opposed to 20 years ago, because Jamaica has always had great fighters," he added.

McKay noted that George McFarlane and Herbert Stewart were early stalwarts.

"McFarlane was a champion in the '80s, as well as Stewart and many others I could think of. The reality is that the marketing thrust behind current stars such as Kenneth Edwards, Alrick Wanliss, and Nicholas Dussard has made them international stars."