A delegation of players and officials from Korea, India and Japan are the latest to land in Mombasa ahead of the much awaited Mombasa Open Tong-IL-Moo-Do international martial arts competition to be held at the Agha Khan Academy.

The India delegation that will be making their first appearance in the competition is led by Raunak Singh,Erica J De Sequiera and Karan Pandit,while Japan team is led by captain Megumi Nabeshima.

Speaking after arrival at the Moi international Airport (MIA), Sign expressed confidence that his charges will make a mark in the Mombasa tournament touted as the most competitive since its inception 10 years ago.

“We are very confident that we will emerge victorious, we have prepared thoroughly hoping we will crush all our opponents who we will face,” said Singh at the Moi international airport.

Cho Yu Mi,one of the dependent players of team Korea expressed confidence that her team will perform exemplary in all categories of the competition despite finishing among top four in the 2021 competition.

This happens as officials of the Kenya Tong Il-Moo-Do federation have expressed disappointment with late disbursement of funds for the sponsorship. 

 Kenya Tong IL-Moo-Do federation assistant secretary Elvis Malipe said more foreign participants have continued to arrive despite budget constraints after the ministry of sports delayed facilitation funds.

“Currently we have the USA, Cote D’ Ivoire,Japan, Korea,India and we are expecting more teams before the competition starts, hopefully this year we are hoping for a very competitive tournament due to new entrants, “said Malipe.

He said the annual international championships in the World calendar have succeeded with the support of the Ministry of Sports. 

 "This year, the event is expected to have the backing of the government since it promotes sports and tourism,"he said.

The Kenyan team,Jasiri is camping at the Light Academy international school where it has been training hard in their quest to defend the title they have won for the past 9 years.

“Team Kenya is in high spirits, they are sharpening their skills and we are hopeful that they will reign again and defend the title,”said Malipe.

Among senior officials who have also jetted in the country include the World Tong-IL Moo-Do Federation President Master Takamitsu Hoshiko as preparations gather momentum ahead of the international competition.

This year’s event has attracted four new participants namely Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Italy and the Commonwealth of Dominican who will be among 28 who are set to take part.

The players will participate in team and individual categories in form, sparring and special techniques in both men and women.

Kenya national team popularly known as Jasiri is the defending champions. In the 2021 event Kenya won a total of 39 gold, 33 silver and 52 bronze medals. Kenya will be seeking to defend the title but expects a tough duel against rival opponents.

Kenya’s main challengers in the world’s Tong-IL Moo-Do, Philippines, who  finished a distant second with 19 gold, 16 silver and seven bronze medals in the 2021 event.

Third position went to DR Congo who completed the event with 27 medals, 12 gold and another five silver and 10 bronze.