MOMBASA, Kenya  – The Philippine delegation bagged 19 gold, 19 silver, and seven bronze medals for second overall in the 9th Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo-Do (TIMD) International Martial Arts Championship held December 11 to 22 here.

Jinnefer Berfulfo led the top finishers with six gold medals in the Gichoom, Individual Sparring Finweight, Individual Bon, Team Bon Women, Team Mixed Bon, and Team Special Technique events.

Princess Minmi Ilustrisimo also took the gold in the Individual Special Techniques and secured bronze medals in women’s Sparring Flyweight and the Individual Bong.

She was likewise part of the winning Team Form Women, Team Special Techniques, and Team Mixed Form.

Other Filipino athletes who earned medals were Mharjude Delos Santos, with two golds and three 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; and Marissa Arbolario with one gold medal from the Gichoom event.

Philippine Embassy in Kenya Chargé d’affaires, ad interim, Maria Rosanna Josue congratulated the Philippine team and commended them for bringing pride to the country.

“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,” Josue said during the sendoff at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on Thursday.

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 the United States, Japan, Thailand, Zambia, Turkey, and Iran.

Host country Kenya was the overall champion.