McKay

CAMPION COLLEGE's Tashauna Grannum has been called on to anchor Jamaica's female combined martial arts team when they face hosts, the Philippines, in Manila on November 26, quite an unfamiliar role for the 18-year-old schoolgirl.

Normally first on the mat in the team's bouts, Grannum has been moved up the order ahead of her captain, Sheckema Cunningham, in a strategy to keep 15-year-old debutante Subrina Williams out of the fray with the hope that Jamaica win in two matches.

Team coach Jason McKay, who has handled Grannum from age 11, said he is confident that she is up to the task.

"She is well trained and trains hard. She has injuries here and there, but knows she is being depended on," he said. "She has delivered on three other occasions and will be there to deliver again."

Grannum has featured in Jamaica's three victories to date over Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, and Vietnam and is looking forward to her new role.

"It's kind of overwhelming in the sense that the team will be depending on me to take them to victory. Normally it's Sheckema. Now they're depending on me. I have a lot of nerves, but I am sure I will pull through for my team," she said.

Although treating a back injury, the brave 18-year-old said she would definitely take the mat.

"I am injured now, treating a back injury, but I don't think it will affect me. I am still training, working on my back," she said.

Tashauna Grannum in action against Canada's Pascale Arsenauld. - Contributed