adminGrace Chirumanzu Sports Correspondent
THE country’s best full-contact fighters are set to unleash their best kicks to prove they are a force to reckon on the continent when Zimbabwe hosts over 300 fighters in the 1st All Africa So-Kyokushin Championships at Chitungwiza’s Aquatic Complex on Saturday.
Africa’s best full-contact karate nations such as Swaziland, South Africa and Malawi will battle for supremacy.
Zimbabwe has turned itself into one of the major karate nations on the continent since Samson Muripo became the first African to land the World Championship title in 2009.
Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga will be the guest of honour with a karate master from Japan, Shihan Jiyuu Shibata, and Shihan Bas van Stenis from South Africa, gracing the event.
The hosts have a number of skilful fighters in each of the weight categories that start from the juniors — Jean-Claud Mufundisi, Simba Chadzamira, Phumulani Maphosa, Shadreck Chigombe, Tendai Chaparadza, Antony Geza, Naison Chituwa, Brian Chiringa, Sidney Muzongolo, Robson Mucheni, Brenda Dunduru and Sharleen Amoda.
Team Zimbabwe is bubbling with confidence with the likes of Admire Chingozhoro, Lovemore Nyamutswa and Chituwa, who excelled at a World Tournament in Japan last month, ready to rumble.
Maphosa, affectionately known as the Smiling Assassin, is one of the karatekas expected to make an impression.
“We have been preparing for the tournament for weeks now and we are ready as a team to show the continent what we are made of,” said Maphosa, who won a gold medal at a tournament in Thokoza, South Africa, last May.
“Winning in South Africa gave me a good boost ahead of this tournament and the fact that we are going to be fighting at home this time around gives us pride, confidence and zeal to fly our flag high.”
Maphosa is using this tournament as part of his preparations for the 2nd International tournament Ohishi Cup in Iran next month.
The Ladies Open category will see former World Champion Tsepiso Lesiba from South Africa fighting to prove her victories on the world stage were no fluke.
Online Reporter