Kenya Tong-Il-Moo-Do federation secretary general Hillary Wahanda believes that the sport could replicate and even better the success attained in 2016 as they kicked off their season with synchronized demonstrations of the art at the weekend in Nairobi and Mombasa.
The federation started a nationwide drive to recruit and register martial artists to their stable as part of their bigger goal of popularizing the sport in a move that it hopes will see more participants enlist for their various competitions slated for this calendar year.
Last year saw Kenya retain the Mombasa International Open tong-il-moo-do championships in August with an overwhelming haul of 87 medals (27 gold, 37 silver and 23 bronze medals) from 21 participants.
Furthermore, Team Kenya in September was represented by 17 martial artists and scooped eight medals in an invitational tournament held in South Korea.
“We have a busy season and we are optimistic that it will be an even better one as compared to last year. We have laid down our programme and hope to get the support from all stakeholders. I urge all the martial artists to train well and in advance as there are many competitions coming up,” Wahanda told SNA.
The first competition will be an open championship dubbed ‘Best of the Best’ in Nairobi to be held from February 25-26 where local martial arts clubs will have an opportunity to showcase the talent on their roster.
The National Team Championship will be the second tournament of the season to be held on March 25 at Mama Ngina drive, Mombasa. In this competition, fierce rivalry will come to the fore with defending champions Best Kickers expected to headline it.
Other clubs expected are hosts Mombasa Tong-Il-Moo-Do, Best Kickers developmental side, Shimo La Tewa, Njambere and K.K Security. The event will also double up as a curtain raiser for the 2017 edition Mombasa International Open tong-il-moo-do championships slated for April.
Wahanda made a passionate appeal to sponsors to come in and support their cause given that the sport has been fast growing in the last couple of years.
