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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
NAISON CHITUWA, who won a silver medal at the world so-kyokushin Cup International karate tournament in Shanghai, China, says he derived his inspiration from the man who beat him for the gold.
Making his debut appearance in an international competition, Chituwa found himself battling seasoned Zimbabwean karateka, Samson Muripo, for the gold and lost in the heavyweight category.
But Chituwa believes this could be the beginning of a successful chapter for him on the international field.
“I am happy, this was my first time competing in such a big event,” he told The Herald yesterday.
“There were some challenges in terms of the food and adjusting to the time because we have a six-hour difference and the referee’s decisions were not fair but we managed.
“I really didn’t know if I was going to win, but I was inspired by sensei Samson Muripo, after seeing his fights I was impressed and I won my first match.
“I feel great because I did my best with Sensei Muripo eventually winning but I gave it my best shot. I can say it was the best match for me, in the final, because I fought a world champion.”
Muripo said he was humbled by the support he has been receiving that has helped him scale greater heights in his sporting field.
Muripo won a gold medal in the heavyweight category.
The seasoned karateka went on to win a silver medal in the super heavyweight at the same competition.
The victory in Shanghai follows another success story after Muripo won a bronze medal in Bulgaria early this month at the World Kyokushin Union Championships.
Speaking soon after his arrival at the Harare International Airport yesterday, Muripo said he is grateful for the support he has been receiving from individuals and companies in his quest for success.
“It was tough and you would feel awesome from inside as well as humbled by the support I have received from individuals and companies which made me to be where I am today.
“It was very tough, I had injuries carried from the tournament in Bulgaria and they just mushroomed at the early stage of the tournament in China. Normally the emotional maturity assists me because when the heat is high I will just cool down as if nothing is happening.
“I fought Naison in the finals, there were more of Chinese in the early rounds and I fought a Russian guy in the semi-finals,” said Muripo.
The 35-year-old said after their impressive performance, the So-Kyokushin organisation vice-president, Shihan Daigo Oishi, indicated that he will be coming to Zimbabwe next year.
Muripo said he was now taking a break for the rest of the year to recover from the brutal battles that he has fought this year.
“There is the All-Japanese Kyokushin tournament in April next year and the first So-Kyokushin World Championships in 2015.
“It is different from this one. I have to give body time to recover,” said Muripo.
This is the second time Muripo has won a world event.
His first title came in 2009 when he won the middleweight category in Japan during the World Cup Kyokushinkai Karate tournament to become the first African to win the title.
Online Reporter