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Innocent Kurira
KARATE Nomichi club chief instructor Sensei Greatman Sibanda is hopeful that they will bag a good number of medals at the Karate Nomichi Children’s tournament in Johannesburg, South Africa tomorrow.
The Bulawayo-based academy travelled with a team of 53 karatekas between the ages of 4-17 years for the annual tournament. They left the country yesterday afternoon and have promised to put on a great show.
“We are confident that we will excel. We have been working hard in preparation for this tournament and we are promising to bring home several medals.
The team is solid and has the likes of Makanaka Mulopa, Temayi Michelle, Venus Mariwande and Charity Moyo who are all medal hopefuls owing to their experience having begun from a young age.
The competition, which is for all clubs under Karate Nomichi, attracts participants from Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and hosts South Africa,” said Sibanda.
Bulawayo provincial Karate chairperson Ndebezinhle Mazibuko is also confident that the team will perform to the best of their abilities.
“We commend Karate Nomichi for flying the Bulawayo and Zimbabwe flag high. We are pleased with the work they are doing for Karate and the upcoming talents. As a province, we are all united under one banner. We may train under different styles at our respective clubs but we are one big family,” said Mazibuko.
The competition will run under Japan Karate Association (JKA) rules in the categories of kata (forms) and kumite (fighting) for both junior and senior fighters.
A strong field of contestants is expected to feature at the tournament and different styles which include Shito-Ryu, JKA Shotokan, Kimura Shukokai International and Sankukai dragons are expected.
-@innocentskizoe
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo