Kenya retains Mombasa Open Tong-IL Moo-Do title

Kenya reaffirmed their superiority in the Mombasa Open Tong-IL Moo-Do International Martial Arts Championship when they bagged 104 points to win the title for the eighth year running as the championship came to an end at Aga Khan Academy on Monday.

The two-day event, which attracted 10 nations, saw hosts Kenya prove their superiority to secure 32 gold, 31 silver and 41 bronze medals. They had 31 gold medals last year.

Kenya’s main challengers in the world’s Tong-IL Moo-Do, Philippines, finished a distance second with 13 gold, 11 silver and three bronze medals.

Third position went to Iran who completed the event with five medal, four gold and another silver while DR Congo were fourth taking home six medals - one gold, two silver and three bronze.

Ivory Coast finished fifth with three medals, a gold, a silver and a bronze. The sixth place was occupied by Japan who  managed a gold and silver.

Thailand and Turkey were jointly in seventh place, each with a silver medal as Congo Brazaville in eighth position having seven bronze medals.

Sports chief administrative secretary Hassan Noor congratulated the Kenyan players for their sterling performances. He pledged the government's support to the sport which he said has become popular with players recognised worldwide.

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 making the even run smoothly till its conclusion.

“I thank Africa Tong-IL Moo-Do president, Clarence Mwakio and his team for making the event ends successfully. Kenya has become one of the countries which rises in this sport and with such spirit, it will reach a time it can rule the world,” said Hoshiko.

The championship has proved Tong-IL Moo-Do is growing in popularity in Kenya.

Kenya dominated most junior events, with teenage sensation Hope Christine winning the country two gold medals.