The ninth edition of the Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo-Do International Championship kicked off this morning at Aga Khan Multipurpose Hall, Mombasa with participants seeking to outdo one another on the canvas in search of a medal.
As was expected, members of Team Jasiri were in a no-nonsense mood, keen to defend their title, as a number of fighters secured their place in the semi-finals set for tomorrow.
In the sparring, flyweight category, Samuel Odhiambo obliterated his countryman Collins Ndunda 4-2 to secure his passageway into the semis.
In the bantamweight category, Washington Burmer was in a class of his own as he blanked Congo Brazzaville's Yuk Song Barthelemy 8-0 to set up a date with Democratic Republic of Congo's Kidae Kimbayi in the semis.
Likewise, Kenyan George Itumo exhibited great sparring skills to excel over Team Jasiri peer Khamisi Mkuruto 7-2 and earn a match-up with the winner of the duel between the Kenyan duo of Hilda Wambani and Fredrick Murimi.
However, Kenya's Fredrick Omollo was unlucky as he found himself on the wrong end of an 8-2 walloping by the Philippine's Mharjude Delos Santos.
In the men's individual bon category, Samuel Mambo and Andrew Wanje scored 9.132 and 8.886 points respectively to guarantee a 1-2 finish for the country as Nigerian Ogene Ifeanyi Godwin placed third with 8.733 points.
Commenting on the tournament, Kenya Tong-Il Moo-Do Federation president Clarence Mwakio admitted the annual championship has grown bigger and better since the first edition in 2013.
"This year the number of participating countries has increased. Last year we had 12 but this time round we have 16. From what I've seen, the competition is quite tough as the different countries want to top the medal table. The fan turnout is also good unlike last year when we did not have any in attendance due to Covid-19," Mwakio said.
He further remains optimistic Kenya will be successfully defend their title won last year at the same venue despite the pedigree of their opponents.
