KENNETH EDWARDS, Alrick Wanliss and Nicholas Dussard have established themselves as 'the rock' of Jamaica's combined martial arts team, unbeaten in team-fighting competitions, each contributing invaluably to the team's 34-match unbeaten streak.

The trio departed yesterday with the rest of the squad, along with the female team, for the March 20 Tri-Asian showdown in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

With Bruce McFarlane returning off a one-year lay-up and Scott Wright new to the team, captain Jason McKay and coach Claude Chin are once again looking to the tried and proven trio to ensure victory against a combined team of Poland and Vietnam.

Wanliss of Montego Bay is the team's microweight, first man out. He is the International Tae Kwon Do Federation's (ITF) World Cup champion and also US Open individual winner.

Dussard is the ITF Pan Am champion and Edwards the 2008 US Open world champion. Edwards won every match he competed in for the combined team last season.

"I've always looked forward to a team fight with Poles. The combined teams of Poland and Vietnam will be tough," Edwards said yesterday as the team prepared to depart the island.

very competitive

"It should be very competitive and that's what I am expecting. I believe they, as always, expect strong competition from us," said the 24-year-old Ningen Karate fighter.

"These guys, the Poles, are European champions so the playing field, I would say, is level."

Wanliss, the 21-year-old Montegonian, is as brave as they come.

"There is no pressure," he said. "It's always a pleasure to set the pace, break the ice and get the first win for my team. I am quite used to it now. I've been opening since 2006," he pointed out.

Dussard was also excited to face the Poland-Nietnam coalition.

"It's always good going to Asia but the fact that Poland is in the mix makes it that much more difficult," he said.

"Poland will be fielding their three strongest and Vietnam their two best so it will be a team with a lot of depth.

"However, our team also has depth. We train together. They don't know much about each other. We're a team and that's the advantage."

Team captain Jason McKay agreed it was a tough task but exuded confidence.

"There's no microweight in the world to beat Wanliss or Dussard, the lightweight. Depending on what happens, it will be McFarlane or Wright next out and Edwards to anchor," he pointed out.

"I am sure we can rely on the others but I have no doubt that these three will win," the team captain added.

Alrick Wanliss