AINSLEY WALTERS, STAR Writer

Olympian Kenneth Edwards heads a strong 12-man squad, including two invitees, for Jamaica's combined martial arts team's 2015 season. Edwards' 52 points top the list of qualifiers, based on performances from last season, ahead of Scott Wright, 45, and International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) Pan-Am microweight gold medallist Ackeem Lawrence, 43.

Captain Nicholas Dusard rounds off the top four qualifiers with 39 points. Coach Claude Chin yesterday said the combined team could begin its season mid-March, or April, ahead of the ITF World Championships.

"Our schedule is not finalised, but our first tour could be March or April in New Jersey. There will also be the ITF World Champs in Italy, at the end of May.

"We are also looking to have the Gold Cup in Orlando, that's July, as well as sending a few members to the Irish Open, mid-year, plus we have been invited by the International Sports Karate Association to go on their World Championship tour," Chin added.

Completing the 12-man squad are Allando Ebanks (28 points), Adrian Moore (24), Phillip McDowell (15), Demar King (14), Kevin Brown (14), Jason McKay (13), Greagon Taylor (invitee), and Delano Francis (invitee).

1) Kenneth Edwards - ISKA World champion, ITF World Cup bronze medallist, leading fighter on 2014 World Cup winning team, US Open gold medallist.

2) Scott Wright - US Open 2014 gold medallist, member of 2014 World Cup winning team, second in Vivobarefoot local league 2014.

3) Nicholas Dusard - Winner of Vivobarefoot local league 2014, captain of 2014 World Cup winning team.

4) Ackeem Lawrence - ITF Pan Am Championship gold, ITF World Cup bronze, member of 2014 World Cup winning team, US Open gold medallist.

5) Allando Ebanks - US Open 2014 gold medallist.

6) Adrian Moore - Member of 2014 World Cup winning team, US Open medallist.

7) Phillip McDowell - US Open 2014 gold medallist.

8) Demar King - US Open 2014 gold medallist.

9) Kevin Brown - Winner of Vivobarefoot Black Belt Invitational.

10) Jason McKay - Silver in Canadian Open and third at the Red Tiger Open, Philadelphia.