DUSSARD

In their bid for continuity and growth of upcoming fighters, a trio of medallists at the 2010 International Taekwondo Federation Pan Am championships will not be part of this year's 12-man contingent to Vancouver in June.

Gold medal winner Alrick Wanliss, silver medallist Jason McKay and bronze winner Shiah Shukura have been replaced by a younger generation of fighters comprising teens and 22-year-old Nicholas Dussard, who won a gold medal in Brazil in 2008.

Oshane Murray, Shamar Morgan, Akeem Lawrence, Adrian Moore and Justine Barrows, son of Arthur Barrows, former combined team member, complete the roster for Vancouver 2012.

The Jamaica Taekwondo Federation said it opted to "keep with its thrust to expose a young cadre of fighters to as much international experience as possible".

At least two of the veterans have been out of training for various reasons. Shukura has not been training in recent months, whereas Wanliss, a microweight, is also out of training and significantly heavier than when he won gold in 2010.

Veteran Jason McKay is still active but is spacing his bouts.

"I have competed in many Pan Am Games, and this year it is too close to other combined team fixtures. Plus, I support the idea of pushing the youngsters in this direction," he said.

The team to Vancouver, Barrows aside, are all members of the combined martial arts aggregation and will compete in receipt of partial sponsorship from the unit's coffers.