Martial Arts: Kenya to fight for own place in Asian art

Member of the Kenya Tong-IL Moo-Do Federation National Team, Edwin Musungu [Courtesy]

“Kenya has come of age and is on the right track,” World Tong Il Moo-Do Vice President Takamitsu Hoshiko said when he visited the national team, Jasiri, here in Seoul, South Korea ahead of the World Martial Arts Masterships in Chungju, South Korea starting tomorrow.

Kenya returns to South Korea seeking to improve on their 2016 showing when they won a gold medal, two silver and five bronze in a sport dominated by Asian nations.

The 2019 World Martial Arts Masterships will be held in Chungju – a tournament that has attracted not less than 25 countries including the 2016 winners, the Philippines.

The unified martial arts, commonly Tong-Il Moo-Do, dates as far back as 2000 years with both Korea and China laying claim to being its birthplace.

In ancient China, martial arts had its beginnings in kung fu, which means skill, ability and work – a style that was adopted by the Shaolin monks.

In Korea, the earliest forms of martial art were known as taek kyon, which formed the foundation for tae kwon do that gained Olympic recognition in 2000.

Kenya took up the sport 11 years ago and has since emerged as a force to reckon with in the global circles.

Philippines is the top nation ahead of founders South Korea and China.

“We are taking one step at a time,” said Kenya Tong-Il Moo-Do chairman Clarence Mwakio.

“We are doing it systematically hoping to introduce it in Kenyan schools. It is a very rewarding sport and above all, the attendant self defence, health improvement and spiritual discipline.”

Edwin Musungu (gold), Dickson Nyagah (Silver), Ibrahim Chumba (Silver), Ali Nassor (bronze), Peter Njuguna (bronze), Jabir Mzee (bronze), Elvis Malipe (bronze) and Newton Sady (bronze) made Kenya proud in Cheongju in 2016.

Except for Edwin Musungu, Dickson Nyaga, Ali Nasor and Jabir Mzee, who did not make the trip this year, the rest are back in South Korea for another stab at glory.

Head coach Hillary Wahanda said:

“We have prepared well and ready to face the rest of the world. We learnt a lot the last time out and hopefully we will put up a fine show.

“The government has been very supportive right from the CS for Sport Ambassador Amina Mohamed, PS Kirimi Kaberia and the entire team have made it possible that we return to defend the Kenyan flag.”