The United States became the latest country to make a debut in the ninth edition of the Mombasa open Tong IL Moo-Do Martial international arts championship slated for Mombasa over the weekend.
The new entrants’ snow makes this year’s competition as one of the competitive owing to the increase in foreign players in the competition to be staged at the Aga Khan Academy hall.
By Wednesday, teams from Thailand, Japan, Turkey,Nigeria,Iran,Korea,Zambia,Philippines,Ivory Coast,Burkina Faso,DRC,Ethiopia and Congo had landed on Mombasa and embarked on extensive training at the travelers beach.
“This is our first time sending a team into this competition and we are happy from the reception, the training. We feel safe and secure and we are enjoying the Kenyan delicacies ahead of the tourney, “said Nathaniel Nitro, a US instructor .
World Tong Il Moo Do Federation president grandmaster Takamitso Hoshiko lauded the Kenyan government for continuing to support the sport.Hoshiko anticipates a tough duel in the edition that will be held in line with covid-19 protocols.
Kenya National Team, Jasiri,is hoping to defend its title after retaining it for eight times in a row. Last year Kenya Bagged overall 104 medals during the international event held at Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa.
Team Kenya reigned in almost all the categories, harvesting 32 gold medals,31 silver and 41 Bronze, way ahead of their perennial rivals,Philippines,who played second fiddle with overall 27 medals, after garnering 13 Gold,11 Silver and 3 Bronze medals.
Kenya Tong-IL-Moo-Do Federation Chairman Master Clarence Mwakio expressed hopes that team Kenya is intact and is high spirited for the tourney.The players will compete in sparring, special techniques and individual forms.
The official applauded the ministry of sports led by sports Cs Amb Amina Mohamed for ensuring funding for the team including training costs and player’s allowances.Kenyan team is composed of 50 players who include 14 female and 36 males.
“The tournament would not have been successful without the funding from the ministry through the sports fund, we want to promise all the players off their security, good accommodation as well,covid free competition,” said Mwakio.
