Kenya off to good start with three gold medals in martial arts show

Kenya made a good start with three gold medals as the Mombasa Open International Tong Il Moo Do tournament started at the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa yesterday.

Kenya, who has won the previous eight tournaments in a row started day one of the tournament that ends today by winning eight medals to prove they are ready to retain the overall title.

Mark Bakari claimed the first gold for Kenya in the Individual Bon Kids A category after he bagged 7.150 points to set the ball rolling for Team Jasiri.

Hafswa Akelo and Emmanuel Wafula bagged silver and bronze for Kenya with 7.1 and 6.5 points.

Kenya claimed the first three top positions in the Individual Bon Kids B category.

Gideon Bwire had 6.9 points for the gold medal while David Mwangi and Joseph Clement garnered 6.5 and 6.1 points to settle for the silver and bronze medals.

Samson Mambo gave Kenya the third gold medal in the Novice Bracket A with 9.1 points while Andrew Wanje added silver with 8.8 points.

Nigeria’s Godwin Ifeanyi settled for the bronze medal with 8.7 points.

In sparring category, Kenya dominated most of the fights by making it to the semi-finals to enhance their chances of winning more medals today when the event come to an end.

In kids 3 category, Joseph Climate floored Arman Abdulhamid 8-0 in an all Kenyan quarter-final match to make it to the semi-finals.

In Fly weight B, Samuel Odhiambo was stretched to his limit before beating Collis Ndunda 4-2 in another Kenyan affair to cruise to the semi-finals.

Bumiyo Nisubire lost 2-0 to Muhammad Yahya in another Kenyan affair to power his way to the semi-finals.

In fly weight A category, Reymark Bais of Philippines beat Ethiopia’s Asega Mihret 8-1 to advance to the semi-finals. Edwin Musungu stopped Suleiman Hamadi 2-0 in an all Kenyan affair.

In bantam A category, Mhaejude Delos Santos from Philippines made it to the semi-finals after he dismissed Kenya’s Fredrick Munga 8-2 while Ephram Yugis qualified for the semi-finals after beating Suleiman Hamadi in an all Kenyan battle.

In bantam B category, George Itumo defeated fellow compatriot Khamisi Mkuruto 7-2 while Kenya’s Washington Burmer humiliated Congo’s Yuk Song 8-0 to scrap his way to the semi-finals.