... Cunningham hopes female martial artists can match their male counterparts

Anthony Minott - Female Black Belt winner, Sheckema Cunningham (right), of Future Leaders Eagle Karate kicks Janice Baker of Ningen Martial Arts.

Ainsley Walters, Star Writer

CAPTAIN Sheckema Cunningham is anxious to see the female combined martial arts team establish a win streak to rival that of their male counterpart, which has gone 43 matches without defeat.

She believes with the expertise of the male team's captain, Jason McKay, being coach of the female unit, it's only a matter of time before the women are as internationally revered.

So far, the unbeaten female team has won three matches, beating Trinidad, the United States and Vietnam.

After facing the Philippines in Manila on November 26, the female team's next big match-up should be at the World Continental Championships in Orlando next year.

"We would want to be as victorious as the male but they started out long before us. Catching up with them will be tough because they are so good. I don't see a team to beat them but that is definitely our aim," said the 26-year-old female captain.

Cunningham is anxious to chisel her name into local martial arts history. The mother of one has been practising martial arts since 11 years old and is the most senior instructor, apart from Patrick Chang, at Future Leaders Karate.

She has won every match in which she has competed for the combined team. Along with Seido Jamaica's Betty Salmon, who has the won the Seido world title on a number of occasions, Cunningham is one of Jamaica's most decorated female martial artists.

The difference in eras and fighting styles, however, should be noted as Cunningham has exploded on the scene in a period when martial arts' funding and organisation is probably at its best.

Her match in the Philippines will be a true test of her mettle as she will be first on the mat against one of the best microweight fighter-producing countries in the world.

However, she believes the team will pull through for a fourth straight victory.

"I have faith in my girls as always and they have faith in me," she told STAR Sports. "I am going out first and, of course, I am always nervous until the fight starts.

"Tashauna (Grannum) is a great fighter and Subrina (Richards) has been on the circuit for a while. Even though she has not been in the adult black belt division, I think she will do a good job."