Mga atletang Pinoy, humakot ng 45 medalya sa Kenya martial arts competition
Second overall champion ang Pilipinas sa 9th Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo-Do (TIMD) International Martial Arts Championship na ginanap mula Dec. 11-22 sa Mombasa, Kenya matapos humakot ng Philippine delegation ng 19 na gold, 19 na silver, at pitong bronze medals.
Pinangunahan ni Jinnefer Berfulfo ang top finishers sa pamamagitan ng anim niyang ginto sa Gichoom, Individual Sparring Finweight, Individual Bon, Team Bon Women, Team Mixed Bon, at Team Special Technique events.
Nakakuha rin ng ginto si Princess Minmi Ilustrisimo sa Individual Special Techniques at bronze medals sa women’s Sparring Flyweight at Individual Bong.
Bahagi rin siya ng nanalong Team Form Women, Team Special Techniques, at Team Mixed Form.
Ang iba pang Filipino athletes na nakakuha ng medalya ay sina Mharjude Delos Santos, dalawang ginto at tatlong silvers; Cyrus Tumanda, 3 golds, 3 silvers; Reymark Bais, 3 golds, 2 silvers, 1 bronze; Jocelyn Pablo, 2 golds, 2 silvers; Aldrige Urianza, 1 gold, 2 silvers, 1 bronze; Vincent Laguerta, 1 gold, 4 silvers, 1 bronze; Jayson Purificacion, 2 golds, 3 silvers; Rhenel Desuyo, 2 golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze; Rhenel Desuyo, 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze; at Marissa Arbolario na nakakuha ng isang ginto mula sa Gichoom event.
Binati naman ni Philippine Embassy in Kenya Chargé d’affaires, ad interim, Maria Rosanna Josue ang Philippine team, at pinuri dahil sa pagbibigay ng karangalan sa bansa.
Ayon kay Josue . . . “When you compete as athletes, you do not only carry our flag, but you also get to promote sportsmanship and camaraderie across cultures, and forge connections with other people as you transcend differences in opinion, language, and beliefs.”
Ang TIMD ay isang comprehensive unified martial art discipline mula sa South Korea na sinimulan noong 1979 ng Grandmaster na si Dr. Joon Ho Seuk.
Ang ika-9 na TIMD ay nilahukan ng 16 na mga babnsa, kabilang ang Estados Unidos, Japan, Thailand, Zambia, Turkey, at Iran.
Ang host country na Kenya naman ang siyang overall champion.
