Ainsley Walters, Star Writer

KYOSHI Heather Campbell is absolutely thrilled that two of her students, Karyll Bennett-Robinson and Marissa Jones, have been selected to join the five-member female combined martial arts team, the McKay Lady Knights.

Former World Zendo martial artists Bennett-Robinson and Jones joined Rising Sun last February and have set a shining example for younger members to follow, Campbell said yesterday.

Bennett-Robinson and Jones join captain Sheckema Cunningham, Danielle Chang and Tashauna Grannum as selectees. Schoolgirl Subrina Richards will feature as a guest fighter.

Jones, a 21-year-old Edna Manley College for the Visual and performing Arts third-year graphic design student, has no experience with the female combined team but Campbell described her as a 'small axe'.

"She is very small but she is a warrior. She looks innocent but will put on the punches," the Rising Sun leader added.

Bennett-Robinson and Richards are no strangers to the combined team, both getting stints last year.

Bennett-Robinson, 23, was an invitee in 2011 and travelled with the team to Philadelphia for the Red Tiger International where she placed third. Richards, a Convent of Mercy Academy student, debuted at the Tri-Asian Championship in the Philippines in December and won her bout to secure the unbeaten team's fourth straight victory.

"It's a good experience for the youngsters in Rising Sun to see two female adults training with the combined team," said Campbell.

"It puts the school on the map in the adult category and it's a wonderful feeling to have them there."

combined-team concept

Campbell said she has no problems with the combined-team concept, a fusion of different arts for team competition.

"It brings us together," she said. "Interaction is very good, especially for new black belts. They get to know each other, to train alongside students from different schools. It helps to motivate them and is a good thing for karate and taekwondo to come together in an exchange of techniques."

Meanwhile, female team coach Jason McKay said there was no guarantee that either will make the squad for the Gold Cup in Orlando in May, but said he was confident of their abilities.

"We had Karyll training with us in the past so we know her potential,' he pointed out.

"In addition, she was among our early selection as a junior, which didn't happen for a variety of reasons. She has great potential and having her for the year to work with should bear fruit in 2012."

Jones, he said, is a potential microweight who the team will try to add a few pounds to.

"Marissa we've also been viewing for a year. She is below the smallest weight category but we believe we can put on a few pounds to make her competitive as a microweight."

McKay is fashioning his Gold Cup squad after victories against Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, Vietnam and the Philippines.

"When we get the weight segments we will see," he said. Karyll is a middleweight and Marissa almost micro. For the Gold Cup squad, a lot depends on how Grannum's weight works out, whether she comes down to light or stays middle. With the Gold Cup going for lighter weights, I can't tell yet what they'll be asking."