Online Reporter
Abel Ndooka
TOP martial artists from the SADC region are expected to compete in this year’s edition of the annual Harare Mayor’s Challenge Cup Taekwondo Championship that will be held in the capital on 15 and 16 August.
This year’s edition of the tournament will be hosted at the City Sports Centre in Harare and is expected to draw over 200 martial artists from Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana, South Africa and Mozambique, among other countries.
Harare City Martial Arts Club chairman, Sensei Martin Chimombe said as a club, they are geared to host this tournament to help elevate players as they aim to qualify for the next Olympics.
“This year we are back with the second edition of the Harare Mayor’s Challenge Cup, and this year we are hosting a taekwondo tournament.
“We are expecting over 200 martial artists from the region to compete in the tournament. So far, athletes from Eswatini have registered and we expect more from other countries; we have already sent invitations.
Harare City Martial Arts Club secretary-general, Sempai Piniel Nzvenga said registration for this year’s tournament is being done online.
He said the draw for the fights will be held on the 15th of August, followed by the referee’s seminar at the City Sports Centre.
“The first day of the tournament will see us doing the weigh-in of the fighters plus the draw for the fights, followed by the referees’ seminar.
“The following day, August 16th, will be the day of action. Fighters will fight for top honors and considering the names that have already registered to compete, we are expecting fireworks,” he said.
Fighters will compete in three categories, that is cadets ages 6 – 14, juniors ages 14 – 18 and seniors 18 years and above.
