Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SEASONED karateka Admire Chingozhoro has described his recent promotion to fifth dan as an honour.
Chingozhoro was one of the three top karatekas who went through the technical dan promotion conducted by Zimbabwe So-Kyokushin Karate-Do Organisation in Harare.
The grading was led by branch chief Samson Muripo together with Japan’s Naoto Kusakabe and Marty Yamagata.
They were tested on the basics, kata, conditioning and kumite.
Going for the fifth dan, Chingozhoro’s assessment included 50 fights.
“It was very hard,” said Chingozhoro.
Tangayi Mhlanga and Shadreck Chigombe were promoted to fourth and third dan respectively.
“The grading was good, but you need to train very hard. There were three of us, Shadreck, myself and Sensei Tangayi. But it was very tough.
“But we managed to pull through. So, I just want to thank God…But it was very difficult. You need to train more than you sleep.
“I had an injury. I think it was from 22 or 23 fights, so for the remaining 27 fights, it was difficult for me because I wasn’t using legs, I was just using hands only.
“But I just thank God I managed to pull through, to finish the 50-men kumite.
“It’s an honour. I am very grateful. And I thank Shihan Samson Muripo, he was the one who was encouraging me,” Chingozhoro said.
The 48-year-old has previously represented the country on the international stage.
Some of the events he attended include the Second So-Kyokushin International Karate Tournament Ohishi Cup held in Iran and he won the Open weight category.
He also went for the 47th All Japan Karate Tournament in Shizouka and managed a second-place finish.
However, since the Covid-19 pandemic, he has slowed down on competition but says he is ready to represent the country if duty calls.
The next major event Zimbabwe So-Kyokshin is looking forward to is next year’s World Championships in Japan.
“I am just pushing. For now, I am just waiting for Shihan Muripo if he says you can go then I am ready,” said Chingozhoro.
The Zimbabwe So-Kyokushin Karate-Do Organisation is already working towards participating at the championships after staging a selection tournament more than a week ago at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex.
The event attracted participants from Malawi and South Africa.
Shihan Thulani Sibisi from South Africa said he would want to see the sport growing in the region and positively impacting communities.
“It’s a matter of supporting each other. It’s a matter of developing athletes. All of us, we know the problems that we are faced with in our communities.
“We will be happy to see more athletes coming in on karate, staying away from the streets because there is a lot of wrongdoing in the streets.
“It has always been my wish that one day we can have a team together, going internationally to represent Africa.
“South Africa and Zimbabwe to go internationally and represent Africa because to be honest, we have got a lot of talent, even though we are short of sponsors and fans.”
