Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE So-Kyokushin Karate-Do Organisation technical director Kumbirai Musinami is satisfied with the build-up to the upcoming selection tournament slated for early next month.
The Zimbabwe So-kyokushin Karate selection tournament is scheduled for August 1 and 2 at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex.
It is open to full contact styles, and is part of the build-up to next year’s World Karate Championships in Japan.
“We are working with 200 plus athletes. However, these athletes are not only So-kyokushin athletes.
“The tournament is open to other Kyokushin styles in our country and from our region.
“All Zimbabwean athletes who make the standard regardless of style will be selected into the team that will travel to Japan next year, that is 2027 in October.
“So, it’s truly a national selection giving every Zimbabwean athlete an equal chance,” said Musinami.
Athletes are training with their respective styles.
“Preparations are at a very advanced stage for all So-kyokushin students and on our inspection of preparedness for those styles that have registered athletes, it’s clear that all instructors are working very hard with their students.
“We are certain we will have a very competitive event,” said Musinami.
The event will see senior and junior karatekas competing for honours in different categories.
A number of local top karatekas are expected to grace the tournament.
The likes of Simbarashe Kumba, Edwin Manyika, Tinashe Matika and Arnold Kashiri are among the top contenders in the Men’s Open.
Tatenda Kambarami is set to lead in the Women’s Open.
Tafadzwa Mutize and Ashley Munyendo are up for the Under-70kg category.
The Women’s Lightweight division is expected to feature the likes of Tsitsi Muranda and Florry Chandavengerwa.
“It will be very exciting as almost every category has athletes that have been on the tatami a number of times and actually have the pedigree.”
Muranda and Chandavengerwa had an impressive showing at the African Full Contact Karate Organisation Annual tournament staged in South Africa, in May.
Muranda won the title in the Women Under-55kg division while Chandavengerwa walked away with silver in the Open category.
With two weeks to go before the tournament comes to life, Musinami said the fighters are now polishing up their techniques.
“Our tournament rules are knockdown in nature and we are now focusing on perfecting knockdown techniques according to the various abilities of our athletes. This is after having gone through a series of serious endurance and body conditioning sessions. Indeed, it’s just two weeks away from the tournament and we have covered most of the groundwork.
“In terms of preparation we are now fine tuning our athletes, and from an instructor’s stand point the athletes are mostly ready,” said Musinami.
“This being a selection tournament we have tried to prepare athletes as much as we can and we will be preparing them mentally also for this very important selection tournament.”
The main goal is to come up with a squad to begin working towards the World Championships.
