This archive report was first published on 18 August 2019.
Kenya will be represented by a team of 35 athletes in the second Chungju World Martial Arts Masterships Championship in Korea from August 24 to September 7.
The tournament, themed 'Beyond the times, Bridge the world', is a comprehensive martial arts competition that promotes peace and harmony worldwide.
Speaking at a press conference in Mombasa on Saturday, Kenya Tong-IL Moo-Do Federation president Clarence Mwakio Ingwala said the Kenyan team will be taking part for the second time in the biannual event after bagging eight medals in the inaugural 2016 edition.
Ingwala noted that in their first outing, they managed to collect one gold, two silver, and five bronze medals, ranking the third best country in the world behind Iran and the Philippines in martial arts.
The team has been boosted by sponsorship from the Ministry of Sports, Culture, and Heritage and is looking forward to exhibiting their best performance by winning more medals.
Kenya is expected to face strong competition from the Philippines and Iran, along with other teams from Thailand, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Cambodia, India, Taiwan, DRC Congo, Congo Brazaville, Nigeria, Zambia, Ethiopia, Cote de' Ivoire, Benin, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Brazil, Paraguay, USA, and Argentina.
Among the top-notch players representing Kenya in the championship are Newton Sady Abich, Evans Oduory Owino, Elvis Malipe Ole Mpakuanik, Peter James Njuguna, and Gordon Ochieng in the men's sparring category.
Patricia Lucky Mbogo, Lorna Opiyo Abiero, and Rose Wacheke Mutui will compete in the women's sparring category, while Collins Ndunda Muriungi, Samson Mambo Garama, and Wanje Andrew Ziro will fight for top honors in the men's team forms.
June Sun Juma will battle for men's individual forms, and Salma Ali Abdallah will compete in the women's individual forms category.
Competitors for the men's special techniques event are Ibrahim Ingwala Mchumba and Athmani Ismael Ndaa Tune.
The Korean tournament is a precursor to the annual Mombasa International Championship to be held in December.
