adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
KARATEKA Admire Chingozhoro is basking in glory after clinching the Second So-Kyokushin International Karate Tournament Ohishi Cup’s Open weight category title recently in Iran.
Chingozhoro beat Iran’s Muhammed Azad in a knock-out to be crowned the champion.
Speaking to The Herald yesterday, the 37-year-old karateka, who has represented the nation in a number of international tournaments, could not hide his joy.
“I am happy with the achievement because I started training when I was 10-years-old and I am 37-years-old now. So I was waiting for this time to win this world tournament.
“I am happy Sensei Samson Muripo was the first black African to win a world tournament in Japan in 2009 and I am just following in his footsteps. It was a pleasure, I thank God.
“The tournament was okay, but this wasn’t my first time to participate in a big tournament like this. In May, I was in Japan and I came seventh. Then this was the fourth biggest ever tournament for me and I managed to win it.
“In Africa, I was dominating in the heavyweight category, but it was my first time to come first in an international tournament,” said Chingozhoro.
Chingozhoro, a second dan black-belt holder, attributed his success to Muripo, who assisted him to raise money for the trip.
“I was very happy because I did it for Sensei Samson Muripo. In Zimbabwe we have sponsorship problems so he was the one who managed to source funds for me to go to Iran, even in May he is the one who made it possible for me to go to Japan. So I am grateful and Sensei Samson is my hero.
“I didn’t imagine myself winning, even going there, I wasn’t so sure because of resources, but Sensei Samson insisted that I must go. He is very dedicated to karate.
“At 37, I think I still have three more years to fight and maybe at 40 I will start concentrating on coaching only,” said Chingozhoro, who is also a karate instructor.
Chingozhoro described his semi-final fight as the toughest after winning the other five bouts on knockout including the final.
“The semi-final fight was the (most) difficult one because the guy I was fighting was just pushing me around and I ended up getting tired. The guy was very strong, but the final was easy. All of my matches were (won by) knockouts except for the semi-final. I think the first fight lasted only eight seconds,” said Chingozhoro.
Zimbabwe was represented by Chingozhoro and Muripo, who lost in the quarter-finals.
Upon their return from Iran on Monday night, they were given a rousing reception by scores of local karatekas who sang and danced for them at Harare International Airport.
Zimbabwe So-Kyokushin Karate technical director, Kumbirai Musinami, said they were impressed with their fighters’ good show in Iran.
“What I would say, it’s a great achievement. It goes to show that we have much talent here. It has put Zimbabwe up there with the world champions. I am also happy for Sensei Admire, who is also my training partner going back to around 1992.
“This win proves that we are actually in a good position to host international events and we will discuss it with our national executive. It’s a great achievement and a milestone in itself. Zimbabwe have achieved a feat never achieved by any African country so we are very happy.
“This tournament had 600 fighters all in all. For our two fighters they did very well, Sensei Samson Muripo bowed out in the quarter-finals, which is quite a sterling performance. We are happy and delighted,” Musinami said.
Meanwhile, the Sports Commission has congratulated Chingozhoro for his success in Iran and added that his achievement shows that Zimbabwe is a force to reckon with in karate.
Online Reporter