Mombasa opens Tong IL Mo Do international tournament

The fourth edition of the Mombasa Open Tong-IL Moo-Do International Martial Arts Championship will be held on 27^th and 28^th August 2016 at the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa.

The International Vice President of World Tong–IL Moo–Do Federation, Master Takamitsu Hoshiko, is in Mombasa to oversee the event with participants from Ivory Coast and Philippines ready for the Championship which has attracted 23 nations.

Master Takamitsu has more than forty years experience in martial arts and has trained many people around the world and will carry on special self-defense training to the tournament participants.

At a press conference at a Mombasa hotel, Master Takamistsu said the world body was impressed with the Kenyan government for its active participation in supporting the sport.

“We are happy the sport is growing speedily in Kenya and we thank Kenyan government for its support,” said Takamitsu.

“Despite Tong-IL Moo Do being a competitive sport, it also helps in preaching peace in all martial arts and connects the body and the mind,” added Takamitsu flanked by Kenya Tong-IL Moo Do chairman, Clarence Mwakio, Ivory Coast’s head of delegates Kouame Dieudonne and Philippine’s team leader Master Leo Carumba.

Takamitsu said the Mombasa event will be used to prepare players for next month’s World championships to be held in South Korea.

Mwakio said arrangements are in top gear and the participants have hyped their training ahead of the weekend tournament.

Kenya Tong-IL Moo Do Chairman Clarence Mwakio said Sports Kenya among other sponsors have given the event a big boost.

“We expect to have a competitive tournament on Saturday and Sunday,” said Mwakio.

Other sponsors are KK Security, Texas Alarms, Smart Look Media, Regional Logistics, Tourism department at the Mombasa County Government.

“We shall have a five day training before the tournament and a day visit to Tsavo East National Park on Monday after the tournament for the visitors to visit Kenya’s tourist attraction sites,” added Mwakio.

Other teams expected to participate are Cambodia , Democratic Republic of Congo, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, US, UK, Paraguay, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Nepal.

Also expected are teams from Brazil, Iran, Madagascar, Rwanda, Germany, Uganda, South Africa, Netherlands and Switzerland.