Games.

And armed with current world champion Gladwin (Roots) Phillips the martial arts community is optimistic that the Island will show well at the Games in Argentina next month.

"Naturally we were pleased to be included for the Pan Am Games. It was a matter of putting some formidable names to BOA (Bermuda Olympic Association) for acceptance. They studied the individuals and made a decision,'' said Dwayne Williams, president of the Bermuda Martial Arts Society (BMAS).

"Obviously a strong case was put forward by the BMAS and they accepted it and we are very happy about it. I think it spells something very good for the future of martial arts in Bermuda.'' Included alongside Phillips, who brought home the 66 kilogram championship last year, are Eugene Ford, Roger Trimm, Nigel Williams and well known instructor Bobby Smith.

Smith will compete in the kata category (forms) while the rest will be involved in kumite (fighting).

Williams said that this was the strongest team Bermuda could produce. He added that this could highlight Bermuda on the world `map' and that the reaction from outside organisations was positive.

"Under the circumstances I think it is, definitely (the strongest team),'' said Williams "Karate has Olympic recognition now, but its not verified. I think how things go at the Pan Ams will be indicative as to how the International Olympic Committee will eventually look at karate in a large Games like that.

"We've got nothing but positive responses from the other Federations who were present at the BOA meeting, all that were there were very congratulatory that we got in. We have heard nothing negative.'' Prior to this the biggest event entered was the World Championships.

The Pan Am Games are more prestigious in the sense that it involves a variety of sports, whereas the World Championships is just karate.

"The whole country is behind you in a bigger way at the Pan Ams, because there are so many different teams,'' added Williams.

"But at the World Championships there are a lot of countries and many more athletes...but both are big to us.'' Next up following the venture to South America is the PUKO Championships, which is another Pan American Championship, which is the North American-Caribbean version of the World Championship.

This year's competition is to be held in May, in yet another South American nation, Colombia.

However, a question mark hangs over Bermuda's participation as a "few loose ends need to be tidied up''.

"We are not sure of a lot of things at this point, we would like to send a team but its up in the air right now,'' said Williams.