Jason McKay - Anthony Minott

THE Jamaica combined martial arts team's preparations for the March 20 Tri-Asian Championship in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has been ramped up with late news that the defending champions will face a coalition of Poland and the hosts in an unprecedented showdown.

Jamaica, two-time defending champions, were training to meet Vietnam and International Taekwondo Federation world silver medallists Poland in individual matches or a one-off final with either, depending on which of the three teams drew a bye.

However, the tournament organisers made a late change, which caught Jamaica off guard, nearly causing an abandonment of the championship.

Jamaica grudgingly agreed to face the combined national teams but have had to adjust their training, as they're unaware of the make-up of the Poland-Vietnam coalition.

"It is different dynamics to combine the strengths of two teams but, at this point, we need the match, said Jason McKay, Jamaica's captain.

"I am sure we can pull it off, the only country of note we haven't beaten is North Korea and we'll just have to go for it," he added.

However, McKay said Jamaica were, indeed, caught by surprise, a ploy which, he believes, was hatched to the combined team's unbeaten streak of 34 wins.

"I have spoken with the organisers and have agreed to the new conditions. It does breach a basic condition of the team's initial agreement to compete against other national teams, making the task we have trained for harder."

The team leaves March 16 with a 34-match win streak, It will be the first time the team will face a coalition of two countries.

McKay said the decision, under the circumstances, puts the team's unbeaten streak, a major selling point of its sponsorship, at risk.

However, he pointed out that a victory would greatly enhance Jamaica's resume, as such a showdown was unprecedented in national team fighting.

"We know the make-up of the teams we were down to face and will just have to adjust in training," he said.