Boy (10) scoops top karate award

year in recognition of the outstanding karatekas locally, regionally and internationally.
Muripo won a silver medal last year at the World Cup Kyoukushinkai tournament held in Kazakhstan.
The best technical karateka award went to 10-year-old Simba Mufema, who trains under Muripo, at Mas Oyama Dojo.
Mufema was excited by his achievement after scooping the award in this category as he beat senior karatekas – Austin Mucheni and Tendai Chaparadza.
“I am very happy. I started practising karate in 2009 when Sensei Muripo invited me to train at Raylton Sports Club. I enjoy doing karate,” said the 10-year-old.
Clemence Kampila won the best local senior karateka award while in the juniors’ category the award went to Marshall Siyamatanda.
Kelly Mtisi walked away with the best regional karateka award and Pumulani Maphosa won the most improved karateka.
Lovemore Nyamutswa walked away with the most disciplined karateka award for the second time after winning the same award last year.
“It’s amazing winning this award for the second time. All you have to do is to follow the rules of karate. The rules themselves guide you to be a good karateka.
“It’s about how you conduct yourself and the experience you get with age,” said Nyamutswa.
The best dojo award went to Highfield and Kumbirai Musinami walked away with the 2011 instructor of the year award.
Arosume Property Development chief executive, Manson Mnaba, walked away with the Zimbabwe Kyokushin Karate Icon award in recognition of his efforts in supporting the sport.
Guest of honour at the ceremony, Shihan Bas van Stenis, applauded local karatekas for their performance in regional and international tournament which has seen Zimbabwe becoming a force to reckon with in karate.
“At present Zimbabwe is rated in Japan as one of the top four countries. There is Japan, Russia, Zimbabwe and Spain. They look up to us and say the African continent is important to them.
“Everybody has to work for this and I want to give credit to sensei Muripo for putting Africa on the world map,” said Shihan Bas van Stenis. Arosume Property Development injected a US$15 000 sponsorship package for the awards and the winners walked away with trophies and cash prizes.
Mnaba said there was need for sponsors to come on board and support the sport as the fighters cannot make it on their own.
“This sport makes us healthy to be able to serve our country, families and other people around us.
“That’s why I chose to sponsor martial arts. The character of karate in Zimbabwe has sent shock waves in martial arts,” said Mnaba.
Meanwhile, the union will today hold their first senior national tournament at Stodart Hall.
The tournament will be graced by 10 karatekas from South Africa – Thulane Sibisi, Andile Mvumvu, Bongane Tsotetsi, Thabang Rashaba, Thokozane Ngcobo, Harry Ndlovu, Mbali Msomi, Priscilla Mlonyeni, Nicholas Murombedzi and Kuda Mkusha.
KUZ chairman, Steven Charandura, said they are expecting tough competition in today’s event.
“We are expecting 100 senior participants to grace the occasion and from our style we have 50 participants.
“South Africa are bringing 10 fighters and we have fighters from other styles that are coming. The event is even open to guys who practise semi-contact. We expect tough competition. We have good fighters, the likes of Lovemore Nyamutswa, Malvery Muyambo and Kelly Mtisi have fought at international level but it’s not going to be a walk in the park.
“The level of competition is increasing,” said Charandura.
Some of the styles that have confirmed their participation are kyokushinkan, extreme contact, taekwondo, kungfu and shukokai kyokushin.