Martial Arts: Kenya team returns from South Korea

President Uhuru Kenyatta when he received Tong-Il Moo-Do players at State House, Nairobi on August 21. [PSCU]

Kenya’s national team that has been in South Korea for the World Martial Arts Mastership Tong Il Moo Do championship returns today after a successful outing.

Kenya emerged as the ‘matured underdog’ nation at the championships at the Korea National University of Transportation in Chungju City, South Korea.

The team of 15 players led by Kenya Tong Il Moo Do Federation President Clarence Mwakio is expected to land at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport this morning.

Sports Principal Secretary Kirimi Kaberia accompanied by the ministry’s top officials will be at hand to receive the team.

Team Kenya beat the world best players to clinch the second position out of the 19 countries that took part in the event.

Beating the world best players wasn’t just easy, and it came with the needed ability from the Kenyan players to conquer the world.

Kenya proved to the world that it has come of age if the performance in the championship is anything to go by.

Kenya ended the event in emphatic fashion after finishing second behind champions Philippines with nine medals that included two gold, two silver and five bronze.

Kenya’s performance was a big improvement from the 2016 event where they won one gold, two silver and five bronze medals.

The Kenyan team now shifts its focus to the Mombasa Open championship to be held in December in Mombasa where over 20 nations are expected to take part.

Mwakio said Kenya will be defending the overall title at the Mombasa event. “We shall reinforce our team to have a stronger unit before the start of the Mombasa event,” said Mwakio.

World Tong Il Moo Do Federation President Join Ho Seuk singled out Kenya as one of the emerging nations in Tong Il Moo Do.

“I had a dream 40 years ago when I incepted the sport and this is a dream come true,” said Seuk closing remarks.