Kenya is back on the global martial arts stage after the Tong-IL Moo-Do Federation announced the return of the Mombasa Open International Martial Arts Championship, following last year’s abrupt cancellation and a subsequent international sanction.
Tong-IL Moo-Do President, Clarence Mwakio, confirmed the revival of the tournament and announced that the 12th Mombasa Open Tong-IL Moo-Do International Martial Arts Championship will take place from December 10th to 23rd, 2025, in Mombasa.
“This spectacular event is now officially set to take place in Mombasa, Kenya,” Mwakio affirmed during a media briefing on Monday.
The President recalled the frustrations of 2024, when Kenya was forced to cancel the championship—first scheduled for August, then December—due to severe funding delays and the eventual lack of operational support from the Ministry of Sports. The decision came at the last minute, even after several international teams had already arrived in the country.
The consequences were immediate and damaging: Kenya received a major sanction from the World Tong-IL Moo-Do Federation (WTMF), which barred the nation from hosting future championships and dented its reputation within the global martial arts community.
Mwakio announced that the sanction had since been officially lifted, crediting the turnaround to the decisive action of the newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Sports.
“Today, I stand before you to declare that the ban has been successfully lifted, and our standing has been restored,” he said. “This resolution is entirely due to the unwavering support of the new Cabinet Secretary.”
In August, the ministry dispatched a high-level three-man delegation to Seoul, South Korea, for the World Tong-IL Moo-Do Leaders Meeting at WTMF headquarters. The delegation comprised:
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Master Clarence Mwakio Ingalwa – Federation Chairman
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Elvis Malipe Ole Mpakuanik – Assistant Secretary-General
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Mr. Jackson Munywoki – Principal Sports Officer, State Department for Sports
Their mission: demonstrate Kenya’s renewed commitment and negotiate the lifting of the sanction.
The delegation succeeded, opening the way for Kenya to resume its place as a host nation.
Mwakio expressed deep gratitude to the Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary for their intervention.
“Their leadership has undeniably saved the image of our country in the global martial arts fraternity,” he stated.
He revealed that the government has committed financial support to ensure the event is world-class. During a follow-up meeting held on 23rd November 2025 in Kwale, the Federation and ministry officials aligned on a shared vision to deliver a championship that surpasses previous editions.
The Federation is also reaching out to private sector partners for additional sponsorship to elevate the event further.
The 12th edition of the Mombasa Open is expected to attract up to 50 countries, bringing together hundreds of athletes, officials, and delegates in what is projected to be one of the largest martial arts gatherings in Africa.
Countries expected to participate include Korea, Japan, USA, Thailand, Paraguay, Philippines, Turkey, Brazil, India, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, Germany, Iran, DRC, Nepal, Burkina Faso, Argentina, Nigeria, among many others.
Mwakio said this year’s championship will be more than a competition—it will be a renewed declaration of Kenya’s ability to host high-calibre international events.
“The stage is now set,” he affirmed. “The 12th Mombasa Open will not only showcase skill and discipline but also stand as a powerful statement of Kenya’s organizational capability and resilience.”
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