Mombasa roars as Tong-Il Moo-Do contest gets underway

Nine additional teams have joined the 12th edition of the Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo-Do International Championship, which kicked off on Friday at the Aga Khan Academy Multi-Purpose Hall in Mombasa.

The arrival of the new teams created an electric atmosphere at the venue, as athletes showcased extraordinary skills before hundreds of enthusiastic spectators.

According to the Kenya Tong-Il Moo-Do Federation President, Master Mwakio, the nine countries joined the Vanuatu team, which had already arrived earlier for the event.

“We are almost full house. We now have teams from South Korea, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, Gambia, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Mali, and France, and we still expect more teams to join us as we approach the final day of the championship,” said Master Mwakio.

“The competition is just warming up, and there is plenty of entertainment, we have only just begun,” he added.

Master Mwakio emphasized the importance of the championship to Kenya, and particularly to Mombasa, in promoting sports tourism.

“There are many aspects of the Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo-Do Championship that make it very important. We hosted a five-day training camp with masters from all over the world, and the event also plays a big role in boosting sports tourism,” he noted.

Zambia Tong-Il Moo-Do Federation President, Kouame Dieudonne, welcomed this year’s championship, praising its growth and positive impact across member countries.

“We thank the Government of Kenya for making this event possible. We encourage other countries, including Zambia, to support such initiatives because Tong-Il Moo-Do is a sport for the future. It focuses on character development, education, and the young generation,” he said.

Africa Tong-Il Moo-Do Federations Advisor, Master Aketch Rang’ala, called on African governments to include the sport in school curricula, describing it as a foundation for nurturing future leaders.

“This championship shows how many young people are involved, and they represent the future of the sport. We want governments in Kenya, across Africa, and around the world to include Tong-Il Moo-Do as a basic educational tool for character development,” he said.

The finals of the 12th edition are scheduled for Sunday, with Team Kenya “Jasiri” having many athletes in the finals and expected to defend their title.