Ulinzi Taekwondo team clinches MSA open championship

Kenya Defence Forces Ulinzi Taekwondo successfully defended their Mombasa Open Taekwondo Championship, held at Nyali Executive Gym.

KDF won the overall title after amassing a total of nine gold, five silver and 13 bronze medals during the well-attended competition.

According to Mombasa County Taekwondo Club chairman William Mwaura, they have identified potential players for the national team ahead of international assignments next year.

“The competition has provided a good platform for team selection because we have international assignments ahead and Kenya must produce the best and quality players,” said Mwaura.

 A total of 20 senior teams and 18 junior teams participated in the event sponsored by Mz Radiators Company in collaboration with Mombasa Taekwondo Federation.

In the men's categories Edwin Lemiso of KDF beat Kelvin Kanyangiwa of Nairobi before Stephen Obonyo of KDF overcame Lawrence Osuru of Bilal Club.

In the ladies categories, Ruth Atieno of Nairobi worked hard to beat Awino Otieno of KDF in a tough fight of the lightweight category during the nail-biting encounter.

Mwaura has also expressed confidence that the newly appointed Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba will uplift the fast growing sport to the next level.

Mz radiators company director Dennis Ywaya pledged his commitment to sponsor more tournaments in future. The company has been at the forefront in promoting Taekwondo sport in the country.

“We ask the government to put The Taekwondo sport among the priorities. The sport is good because it helps keep players healthy and also brings glory to the country,” said Ywaya in an interview.

Ywaya said the company is keen to bridge the sponsoring gap after so much focus on other sports disciplines, with less focus on Taekwondo.

Other teams that took part include SHOFCO, Team Noma all from Nairobi while in Mombasa was represented by Mombasa County team, Likoni, Inuka and Kilifi Mnarani.