Kenya set for Martial Arts Championships

By Ben Ahenda

Kenya will take part in the first World Toa Martial Arts Championships in Shiraz, Iran, from November 6-11.

The invitation to the six-day championships was contained in a letter addressed to Kenya Toa Federation by World Union of Toa Associations President Ali Montazeri Najafabadi.

Collins oyo (left) and Sylvester Adongo train at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru, ahead of the first World Toa Martial Art Championships in Shiraz, Iran on Tuesday. Photo: Boniface Thuku/Standard

"We have the honour and privilege to invite you to this unique event at the beautiful historic city of Shiraz," read part of the letter Najafabadi signed.

Kenya has picked a strong team of eight players, which is expected to leave for the Middle East country on Friday for the event.

The team includes Willy Muriathi, Isaac Kibe, Joseph Orao, Humphrey Mukula, John Momanyi, Silvester Andango (captain), Collins Omondi, Paul Kamau (assistant coach) and David Okiya (coach).

The team, which will be supported by Iranian Ministry of Youth and Sport has been holding residential training in Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium and Menengai Social Hall for the last four weeks.

Coach David Okiya said morale was high and players will do their best at the global championships. A total of 42 countries from six continents have confirmed participation.

Africa will be represented by Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Egypt, Cameroon, Lesotho and Morocco.

All players have received their visas from Iranian Embassy ahead of their trip to Iran aboard Qatar Airways on Friday. Okiya will also double up as an international referee at the six-day championship.

The sport was introduced in the country last year. Kenya Toa Federation has branches are in Nairobi, Rift Valley and Coast Province.

Meanwhile, the National martial arts festival was held at the weekend at Nairobi’s Brookhouse International School, adds Ernest Ndunda.

The festival brought together competitors from Tae-Kwon-Do, Tong-IL Moo-Do and Kick Boxing Federations.

Best kickers

Competitors were drawn from all over the country as they competed in their respective categories under one roof.

In Tong-IL Moo-Do (sparring), Teddy Owino of Dandora won the height weight category with Evans Oduory of Nairobi’s Best Kickers settling for the second slot. Mickey Maingi, also of Best Kickers, was third.

In middleweight, Athman Ishmael of Police Dog Unit Coast was the winner with Elvis Malipe ole Mpakuanik of Mombasa’s Light Academy winning the second position. Samuel Odhiambo of Best Kickers was third.

In the light weight categoty, Texas Muchiri of Best Kickers, James Njoroge of Light Academy Mombasa and Oliver Amollo of Nairobi followed in that order.

In the flyweight category, Malik Kinyanjui and Davies Muyaa both of Kitengela grabbed the first and second positions. Nadir Swaleh of Police Dog Unit Coast was third.

In the forms category, Elvis Malipe ole Mpakuanik of Light Academy Mombasa was the winner and was followed by Athman Ishmael Tune of Police Dog Unit Coast in the second position. Abdirazak Ahmed also of Light Academy Mombasa settled for the third slot.

Abdullahi Tune from Police Dog Unit Coast took part in a Tae-Kwon-Do Tournament and won the first place in the junior category below 10 years.

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