Team Philippines captured 19 golds, 19 silvers and 7 bronze medals to finish behind host Kenya in the overall medal tally in the 9th Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo Do International Martial Arts Championship 2021, which concluded on Monday (PH time) in Mombasa, Kenya.
The combined superb efforts of Jinnefer Bertulfo and Princess MinMi Ilustrisimo catapulted the 17-man Philippine squad to a lofty 42-medal finish in the tournament that showcased Korea’s brand of mixed martial arts, participated in by 16 nations.
Berfulfo proved to be the star performer with a haul of six gold medals as she topped all the six categories she took part in—the Gichoom, Individual Sparring Finweight, Individual Bon, Team Bon Women, Team Mixed Bon, and the Team Special Technique.
Minmi grabbed the gold in the Individual Special Techniques and was part of the victorious side in the Team Form Women, Team Special Techniques, and Team Mixed Form, while taking bronze finishes in the women’s Sparring Flyweight and the Individual Bong.
Other Team Philippines members, who produced medals were Mharjude Delos Santos, who had 2 golds and 3 silvers, Cyrus Tumanda (3 golds, 3 silver), Reymark Bais (3G, 2S, 1B), Jocelyn Pablo (2G, 2S), Aldrige Urianza (1G, 2S, 1B), Vincent Laguerta (1G, 4S, 1B), Jayson Purificacion (2G, 3S), Rivier Desuyo (2G,1S,1B), Rhenel Desuyo (1G, 1S, 1B) and Marissa Arbolario, who bagged the gold in the Gichoom event.
Top Philippine TIMD official Dr. Venus Agustin said it was an “extraordinary campaign” for the Philippines that was funded privately “with no government support and recognition, lack of allowances.”
“The Philippine Tong- IL Moo-Do team is united and in high spirits to represent the Philippines in bringing glory to the country,” added Agustin, who was joined by delegation head Bernardino Villagante and coaches Nicky Rambuyon and Marissa Albolario.
“I’m in tears seeing them fighting with all their strength and never giving up and the result is truly exceptionally amazing,” he said.
Kenya collected a total of 39 gold, 33 silver, and 56 bronze medals for the top overall finish.
Coming in at third was DRC Congo with a 12-5-10 tally. Other countries that won according to the number of medals were Zambia, Cote D’Ivore, Burkina Faso, Angola, Nigeria, Japan, Thailand, USA, Korea, Iran, Turkey, and Congo Brazzaville. Ethiopia was the only country that ended up empty-handed.
