Kenya's Jasiri martial arts team face acid test in Mombasa

Edwin Koga of Kenya tackles Ralph Joon-Augustin (red helmet) from Iran in one of the finals during the Mombasa Open Tong-il Moo-do championship at the Aga Khan Academy, December 08, 2019. [Photo by Gideon Maundu/Standard].

Kenya's Jasiri martial arts team face an acid test when they host 12 countries at this year's Mombasa Open Tong-IL Moo-Do international martial arts championship.

The eighth edition of the Championship that has been sponsored by the National Government starts tomorrow Sunday and conclude on Monday at the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa with over 200 players participating.

The annual event will be graced by the executive President World Tong IL Moo Do Federation Grandmaster Takamistu Hoshiko.

Kenya Tong Ill Moo Do Federation President Clarence Mwakio said Health ministry guidelines on Covid-19 pandemic will be observed.

Mwakio who is also the President of the continental body said the Kenyan national team has been undergoing strenuous training in readiness for the championships.

Najib Salim (left) of Mombasa tackles with Twalib Rashid (right) also from Mombasa in their light category as the Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo-do championship on December 08, 2019. [Photo by Gideon Maundu/Standard].

The foreign teams in Mombasa for the event include Zambia, Brazil, Thailand, South Korea, Zambia, Cote D’Voire, Congo Brazzaville, Nigeria, Philippines, Iran and Turkey.

"This year’s tournament will have both seasoned and experienced international players with black belts in the men and women categories," said Mwakio.

In the sparring categories, special techniques and forms, Mwakio said the men will feature in the fin weight, bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, middleweight, heavyweight and super heavyweight.

Men players aged between 18 years to 49years will participate in the individuals and team categories.

Similarly, in the women categories for the individuals and teams, participants aged between 18 years to 49 years will fight in fly weight, middle weight up to super heavy weight.

Umpire Nicky Rambuyon addresses some of the participants and spectators during the Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo-do championship at the Aga Khan Academy, December 08, 2019. [Photo by Gideon Maundu/Standard]

The tournament events will be scored through the digital scoring system. In individual categories, the players will be expected to display their skills in forms, sparring, special techniques in both the colour and black belts.

Lauding the government for its effort to promote Tong-IL-Moo Do, Master Mwakio said the Ministry of Sports Culture and the Arts played a pivotal role to ensure the event is hosted in Mombasa despite uncertainties.

“It is through the special attention given to us from the Cabinet Secretary Ambassador Amina Abdalla, the Permanent secretary Joe Okudo and the entire ministry team that the teams are competing in this event that also attracts tourists in the country,” said Mwakio.