Chiringa proves he has bite

Lawson Madzivanyika
SENSEI Brian Chiringa was accused of trying to bite off more than he could chew when he decided to fight in the open category in the second edition of the All-Africa SO-Kyokushin Karate Championships at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex last weekend. Sensei Chiringa had fought and done well in the Under-77kg category and his decision to move a step up and face the big boys found few backers.

Observers thought he was being over ambitious. However, the 33-year-old has been vindicated after winning gold, courtesy of a clinical dismantling of South Africa’s Lwazi Finca in a final that lasted less than two minutes.

“It feels good to beat seasoned fighters on one’s maiden appearance in the open category,” says the school teacher at the Kyokushin Kan dojo in Harare. “I decided to risk it this year and fight in the open tournament to face stiffer opponents because in the middleweight you always meet familiar opponents. Several people tried to dissuade me from fighting in the open category but you never know what you are capable of unless you test yourself to the limit.”

Last weekend’s gold medal-winning effort was the latest highlight of a karate journey that started in Harare’s Mbare suburb 11 years ago. A childhood love for karate movies inspired a young Chiringa to try the sport, thinking it would make him superhuman.

“My love for karate movies inspired me to start taekwondo under the mentorship of the late Sensei James, who was a soldier. Due to his work commitments, I had to shift to kyokushin to get more practice time since my mentor was mostly away on national duty.

“I believe that marked the beginning for the love of the sport and with time I realised that Karate also teaches you discipline,” he recalls. Saiko Sensei Samson Muripo has heaped praises on the newly crowned So-Kyokushin champion.

“Brian performed extremely well and has shown that he is a force to contend with in each tournament he has participated in. It’s not easy being the Africa champion but he has done it and promises to get better. “His performance is also an indication that Zimbabwe is pregnant with potential champions,” said Sensei Muripo.

With the second All-Africa tournament out of the way, focus now shifts to the first So-Kyokushin World Karate tournament slated for Japan in October.