Over 500 participants from 35 countries are set to converge in Mombasa, Kenya, for the 12th edition of the Mombasa Open Tong-IL Moo-Do International Martial Arts Championship, scheduled to take place at the Aga Khan Academy from December 11th to 24th, 2024. This year’s event marks a significant milestone as the largest in the tournament’s history.
Record Participation and Team Breakdown
The competition will feature a total of 578 players, with 324 international participants and 250 Kenyan athletes, including 120 members from Team Jasiri, Kenya’s national champions. The large number of participants reflects the growing popularity and credibility of the championship on the global stage.
Kenya Tong-IL Moo-Do Chairman, Clarence Mwakio, highlighted this as the largest registration since the tournament’s inception. Despite challenges earlier this year, including the event’s cancellation in August 2024 due to financial constraints, the championship is back on track, signaling strong support and recognition from the World Tong-IL Moo-Do Federation.
Call for Government Support
Chairman Mwakio emphasized the need for government intervention to ensure the event’s success. He appealed to President Dr. William Samoei Ruto and Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Kipchumba Murkomen to sponsor and facilitate Team Jasiri.
“Kenya is a powerhouse in Tong-IL Moo-Do, and hosting such a world-class event elevates our country’s status. The championship boosts morale for players and encourages youth participation in the sport,” said Mwakio.
He further noted that the championship promotes Kenya as a global hub for Tong-IL Moo-Do, attracting both players and fans while inspiring the younger generation to take up the sport.
Support from the World Federation
The World Tong-IL Moo-Do Federation President, Grand Master Takamitsu Hoshiko, has shown immense goodwill toward the championship and ensured its inclusion in the federation’s global calendar. He confirmed that this year’s event will include more teams, with first-time participants such as São Tomé and Príncipe, Vanuatu, and neighboring Uganda joining the competition.
Kenya’s Continued Dominance
Kenya’s national Tong-IL Moo-Do team, Team Jasiri, has been in intense training for the last four months to defend their title. Having won the championship for the past 11 consecutive years, Team Jasiri is determined to maintain their dominance on home soil.
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