Kenyas Jasiri Records Impressive Performance At Tong-Il Moo-Do

Tel Aviv: Kenyas Tong-Il Moo-Do national team, Jasiri, made a commanding start as it began the defence of its overall title at the 12th edition of the Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo-Do International Championship.According to Kenya News Agency, Jasiri is relying on seasoned fighters such as Michael Omollo, who secured a convincing knockout victory over Thailands Piyawak Masang. Omollos electrifying performance sent the crowd into a frenzy and underscored Kenyas readiness for a strong showing, following months of intensive preparations ahead of the championship.The 12th edition of the Mombasa Open Championship has attracted a strong international field, with teams from Thailand, India, Zambia, Korea, Nigeria, France, Côte dIvoire, Japan, the Philippines, and Mali participating. More than 600 athletes are competing in the tournament, which will culminate in a grand finale this evening, where awards will be presented for sparring, individual forms, and special techniques.Athletes are competing in various mens and womens categories, with Kenyas Jasiri team aiming to assert its dominance once again. The Kenya Tong-Il Moo-Do Federation is considering extending the championship beyond the current three-day format due to the steadily growing number of participants. As the event continues to grow, we will increase the number of competition days so that we can accommodate everyone, said Federation President Clarence Mwakio.The championship, which is being held during the festive season, has boosted sports tourism in Mombasa. We have seen an increase in international guests, which is a boost to our tourism economy. Hosting the top leadership of the world governing body shows Kenyas commitment to nurturing talent and growing the sport, Mwakio said. He also thanked sponsors for their crucial role in supporting the championship and promoting the growth of Tong-Il Moo-Do. We are grateful to our sponsors who continue to come on board and help us nurture talent, he said.Mwakio noted that strong structures have been put in place to develop the sport locally, revealing that 37 academies have already been established across various counties. This tournament has brought life to sports tourism by creating employment, promoting cultural exchange, and placing Mombasa on the global sports map, he said.The sport continues to gain traction across the continent, with Zambia Tong-Il Moo-Do Federation President Kouame Dieudonne urging African governments to support it, noting its potential to shape future leaders. Dieudonne thanked the Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Youth, Creative Economy, Arts and Sports, for supporting the championship. The Cabinet Secretary for Youth, Creative Economy and Sports is among the dignitaries expected at the closing ceremony on Sunday, with organisers estimating that at least 10,000 fans have attended the event so far.World Tong-Il Moo-Do Federation President Grandmaster Tokamitso Hoshiko thanked Kenya for hosting the championship, noting the increased global participation this year. We t hank Kenyans for turning out in large numbers. This shows their love for the sport. With continued development, we hope to see Tong-Il Moo-Do gain Olympic recognition in the future, said Hoshiko.Tong-Il Moo-Do founder Joon Hyoseuk also praised the Kenyan government for its continued support and encouraged Africa to embrace the sport. We are not fighting against each other; we are fighting for physical fitness, peace, and justice. We thank the government for supporting this sport, he said.