MOMBASA, Kenya -- The Philippine delegation bagged a total of 19 gold, 19 silver, and seven bronze medals which earned them the second spot in the overall award tally in the 9th Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo-Do (TIMD) International Martial Arts Championship held from 11 to 22 December 2021 in Mombasa, Kenya.
Heading the list is Ms. Jinnefer Berfulfo who brought home six gold medals after dominating all six categories – the Gichoom, Individual Sparring Finweight, Individual Bon, Team Bon Women, Team Mixed Bon, and the Team Special Technique – she competed in.
Ms. Princess Minmi Ilustrisimo also won the gold in the Individual Special Techniques and secured bronze medals in the women’s Sparring Flyweight and the Individual Bong. She was likewise part of the winning group in the Team Form Women, Team Special Techniques, and Team Mixed Form.
Other Filipino athletes who earned medals from the individual and group categories were Mr. Mharjude Delos Santos, with two golds and three silvers; Mr. Cyrus Tumanda (3 golds, 3 silvers); Mr. Reymark Bais (3 golds, 2 silvers, 1 bronze); Ms. Jocelyn Pablo (2 golds, 2 silvers); Mr. Aldrige Urianza (1 gold, 2 silvers, 1 bronze); Mr. Vincent Laguerta (1 gold, 4 silvers, 1 bronze); Mr. Jayson Purificacion (2 golds, 3 silvers); Mr. Rhenel Desuyo (2 golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze); Mr. Rhenel Desuyo (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze); and Ms. Marissa Arbolario with one gold medal from the Gichoom event.
From left: World Tong-Il Moo Do Federation-PH President Bernardino Villagante, CDA Josue, and Head Coach Nicky Rambuyon
Philippine Embassy Chargé d’affaires, ad interim Maria Rosanna Josue congratulated the Philippine team on their successful performance in the competition and commended them for bringing pride to the country by showcasing their talent and skills as world-class athletes.
“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,” said CDA Josue during the sendoff at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Thursday, 23 December 2021.
TIMD is a comprehensive unified martial art discipline from South Korea founded in 1979 by Grandmaster Dr. Joon Ho Seuk. The 9th TIMD was participated in by 16 countries, including, among others, USA, Japan, Thailand, Zambia, Turkey, and Iran, with host country Kenya as the overall champion. (Philippine Embassy in Nairobi)
