Kenya begun well for the title defence in day one of the Mombasa Open Tong IL Moo Do international Martial arts championship after grabbing early lead in the world event staged at the Aga Khan academy hall on  Saturday.

Kenyas Festus Baraka and Edwin Musungu booked their slot in quarters finals of the sparing competition putting Kenya in a good position to win first gold medals tomorrow.

Musungi was the first to win quarter final match of the sparing competition after beating Suleiman Hamadi in an all Kenyan affair fight while Philippines Raymark Bais beat Asega Yitayih Mihret of Ethiopia.

Baraka will now face off with Philippines Raymark Bais in the semifinals while Musungu will face off with Luckson Miti of Zambia the the same category.

In other competitions, Samson Mambo and Andrew Wanje scooped 9 and 8.8 points respectfully to grab position one and two, in the first round of  individual forms category beating Nigeria's Ogene Godwin who came slightly third with 8.7  points.

Similar performance was replicated Individual forms kids category by Kenyans Gidieon Bwire who won round one by garnering 6.9 points ahead of David Mwangi with 6.5 points while Josephat clement came third with 6.1 points.

This sets stage for a tough duel in round two of the categories which will be played t the same Venue tomorrow.

Kenya seeks to retain it's title for the 9 the time in a row in the two days competition set to end on Sunday .

Kenya Tong IL Moo Do federation president Grandmaster Clarence Mwakio expressed his hopes that the Kenyan team will reign despite the tough competition from rival opponents.

"We are hoping team Kenya will defend the tittle,because they are the majority and they have trained hard for the competition,"said Mwakio who hinted that Kenya may take part in the 2028 Olympics if the sport is adopted in the Olympics.

Atleast 16 teams from various parts of the globe are taking part in the annual event that culminates tomorrow with awarding of medals to winners by the world Tong IL Moo Do federation.