Kenya’s Team Jasiri retains global Tong-IL Moo-Do title
Kenya’s Team Jasiri reaffirmed their superiority in the Mombasa Open Tong-IL Moo-Do International Martial Arts Championship winning the overall title for the ninth year running as the tournament came to an end at Aga Khan Academy on Sunday.
Jasiri bagged 128 points to win the two-day event which attracted 16 nations, securing 39 gold, 33 silver and 56 bronze medals.
Smooth event
Kenya’s main challengers, the Philippines, finished second with 19 gold, 16 silver and seven bronze medals.
Third position went to DR Congo who completed the event with 27 medals - 12 gold and another five silver and 10 bronce.
Zambia came fourth with two gold medals,two silver and five bronze medals.
Speaking in a video call, Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed pledged the government’s support to the sport which she said has gained popularity in the country and around the world.
World Tong-IL Moo-Do Federation president, Takamitsu Hoshiko, thanked the Kenyan government for allowing the championship to take place and commended the organisers for the smooth event.
After the competition, the players were taken for a national park drive at the Tsavo National Park to sample Kenya’s wildlife.
Meanwhile, Kenya Tong-IL Moo-Do Federation has said it is working closely with the world body to push for the sport to be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The federation’s chairman, Clarence Ingalwa Mwakio, said there are many procedures involved for this to happen.
“We cannot be ready for the 2024 Games in Paris but we’re targeting 2028 and plans are already in place,” he said.
