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The seminar was being conducted by Sensei Stephen Chan from the United Kingdom and on Saturday they had an open training session for karatekas from various styles that are practiced in the country.
Danisa said the session featured fighters from other provinces such as Bulawayo and Midlands.
“There were 30 fighters and it was open to all those that practice karate in the Zimbabwe. We had people from Bulawayo and Gweru. It was a one-week seminar conducted by Sensei Chan from UK.
“He came to teach Jindokai but did one session open to everyone else on Saturday for the benefit of everyone.
He was basically showing us how the British and other European countries prepare their national teams.
“It was a lesson for both the athletes and coaches.
“On Sunday we had the gradings and there were 17 people and three were ladies from Dominican Convent — Naomi Mandengenda, Ruvimbo Mushambi and Ruvimbo Madongorere.
“The major highlight was the seventh dan grading of Fradson Shavi the former ZKU technical director. He is the highest graded Zimbabwean,” said Danisa.
Danisa said the style has been operating in the country since 1988 under dentokan banner but was registered as Jindokai this year.
Other karatekas that were graded include Danisa who was graded to sixth dan, Godwin Murambiwa and Allen Mugabe were graded to fifth dan while the pair of Innocent Bizalieli and Wellington Munyambirwi got their fourth dan.
Misheck Chiwayo, Gift William and Anthony Bumhira were graded to third dan while the quartet of Dean Ramsey, Justine Mashiri, Alstern Azwirahwi and Taneta Kagande were graded to second dan.
Denis Manyaya, Mushambi, Mandengenda and Madongorere got their first dan black belts.
ZKU president, Joe Rugwete, said they were grateful to Sensei Chan for taking his time to work with local athletes and added that it will improve the standard of Jindokai athletes.
Rugwete urged other styles to encourage female participation in the sport.
“We at the ZKU view this as a development for Zimbabwe karate, not only Jindokai.
“I note with pleasure the grading of the young female athletes and would like to urge other styles to take a deliberate bias towards recruiting, training and developing the young and the female athletes,” said Rugwete.
Meanwhile, the national association will this weekend resume their national squad training session at Old Hararians Sports Club.
Online Reporter