MARTIAL ARTS: It’s a perfect start for Kenyan charges at the Coast

Participants for the 5th edition of the Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo-do International Martial Arts championship do their katas during the opening of the championship at the Aga khan Academy, September 23, 2017. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

Kenya start on right footing: It’s a perfect start for Kenyan charges at the Coast

Squad bags six of top-ten spots, Philippines run away with Forms Category gold at Mombasa Open Tong Il Moo Do.

Kenya team put up a strong title defence bid as they won six of the top-ten spots at the Mombasa Open International Tong Il Moo Do Championship that kicked off yesterday at Aga Khan Academy.

But, as expected, Philippines gave Kenyans stiff challenge to strike gold in the Forms Category.

Junelle Tumando ensured Philippines started well by posting 8.32 points to win gold, leaving Kenya’s Newton Sadi to settle for silver as Edwin Musungu, another Kenyan, amassed 7.80 points for bronze.

Kenyans are expected to showcase their skills in the sparing category today as they strive to defend the overall title.

Kenya won last year’s event after beating second-placed Philippines with 23 gold medals, 31 silver and 17 bronze medals in the competition staged at the Agha Khan Academy hall in Mombasa.

Clarence Mwakio, the national Tong-IL Moo-Do federation chairman, who was flanked by World Tong-IL-Moo-Do Federation Vice President Takamitsu Hoshiko graced the showpiece.

The boys’ and girls’ category attracted participants from secondary schools, academies, martial arts clubs and other sectors from across the country who had recorded good performances.

Japan, Iran, Thailand, Philippines, Nepal, South Korea, LLithuania, Argentina, Cambodia, Paraguay, Brazil and Germany are countries in contention.

Hoshiko hailed Kenya’s bid to host the martial arts.