*Undated
Kenya began her title defence on the right footing in day one of the Mombasa Open Tong IL Moo Do International Martial Arts Championship after grabbing early lead in the world event being staged at the Aga Khan Academy hall at the port city of Mombasa.
Kenya's Festus Baraka and Edwin Musungu booked slots to the semifinals of the sparring competition putting Kenya in a good position to win first gold medals in the final set for today December 19th.
Musungu was the first to win his quarter final match of the sparring competition after beating Suleiman Hamadi in an all Kenyan affair fight while Philippines Raymark Bais beat Asega Yitayih Mihret of Ethiopia.
Baraka will now face off with Philippines Raymark Bais in the semifinals while Musungu will face off with Luckson Miti of Zambia in the same category.
In other competitions, Samson Mambo and Andrew Wanje scooped 9 and 8.8 points respectively to grab position one and two, in the first round of individual forms category, beating Nigeria's Ogene Godwin who came third with 8.7 points.
Similar performance was replicated in the Individual Forms Kids Category by Kenyans Gideon Bwire who won round one by garnering 6.9 points ahead of David Mwangi with 6.5 points while Josephat Clement came third with 6.1 points.
Kenya is seeking to retain its title for the ninth time in a row in the two-day competition set to end on Sunday December 19th.
Kenya Tong IL Moo Do federation president Grandmaster Clarence Mwakio expressed his hopes that the Kenyan team will reign supreme despite the tough competition from rival opponents.
"We are hoping Team Kenya will defend the title because of the good preparations and we hope to carry the day when the games come to an end tomorrow," said Mwakio who hinted that Kenya may take part in the 2024 Olympics if the sport is adopted at the Olympics.
At least 16 teams from various parts of the globe are taking part in the annual event with awarding of medals to winners by the world Tong IL Moo Do Federation.