‘Jasiri’ crowned Tong-IL Moo-Do champs
Kenya’s national Tong-IL Moo-Do team also known as Jasiri reaffirmed their superiority in the Mombasa Open International Martial Arts Championship to emerge the overall winners of the championship as the event came to an end at Aga Khan Academy on Tuesday night.
Jasiri harvested a total of 191 medals, made up of 46 gold medals, 52 silver medals and 93 Bronze medals to emerge overall winners of the 11th edition which was attended by 13 countries from all over the world.
Kenya’s main challengers, the Zambia team, finished second with 10 gold, 5 silver and 9 bronze medals for an overall 23 medals tally while perennial rivals Philippines ended in third position with 5 gold medals, 2 silver and 4 broze medals.
Asian side Iran were fourth with 4 gold medals,6 silver and 4 broze ahead of the India team which bagged only 5 medals of 4 gold, and 1 bronze. South America’s Paraguay team settled sixth in the log with 3 gold medals, and 3 bronze.
In other teams Nigeria who settled seventh got 2 gold medals and 2 silver ahead of Japan who got overall 2 medals , DRC 1 medal and Brazil 3 medals in the eighth nine and 10 positions respectively.
Others countries who performed dismally are Asia continent representatives South Korea with a total of 1 medal, Thailand I medal and Africa’s Cote D’Ivoire who fumbled to go home without any medal.
Addressing journalists after completion of the tournament, Kenya Tong Ill Moodo federation president Master Clarence Mwakio said the focus is now on nurturing fresh talents who will feature in the next year’s event.
The Africa federation president said the event which attracted all the continents of the globe was a success. He however hinted that next year’s event will be held in August to avoid December holiday rush.
“We are very happy that number of teams managed to reach Mombasa, as we know its high holiday season, one lesson we have learnt is that hosting the event during the August is the best option, so from next year we will revert to our original plan August summer season where there is minimal air traffic,” said Mwakio.
Mwakio thanked the government for continued support for the past 11 editions held in Kenya. He said starting January next year the federation will hit the ground running in nurturing grassroots talents by hosting weekly events in all counties.
“In the calendar of 2024 events, we want to request the ministry to join us so that we can have weekly events in all counties, weekly training clinics so that instructors can travel in counties to scout for future instructors who can scout for new talents from schools,” said Mwakio.
The Africa president said so far 12 countries are taking part adding that Kenya will soon lead the continent in African tong il moo do championship which will open the door for all Africa games and Olympics competitions in the near future.
“Kenya is leading from the front and I believe it will be a celebration when Kenya takes part in all African games with Tong Il Moo do and wins more medals in the All Africa games,”said Mwakio.
