Karatekas brace for busy year

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe So-Kyokushin Karate-Do Organisation has a busy first half of 2018 with a number of local and international competitions lined up for the karatekas.

According to the calendar, the first tournament, the SO Kyokushin International Karate Tournament will be held in Ahvaz Iran, from the end of February to March 2.

From Iran, the karatekas will head to Klerksdorp, South Africa, for the Shinkyokushinkai annual Karate championships, seventh Matlosana Cup to be held on March 3. A week later, Namibia will play host to the first All-Africa Kyokushin Kenbukai Knock-Down Open Karate tournament men’s and women’s weight categories from March 9-11.

After the Namibian tournament, there will be a month’s rest for the body to recuperate before the karatekas head to Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland, for the fifth All-UK Open Karate tournament in weight divisions on April 7 before the All Japan karate tournament.

On May 26, South Africa’s Thokoza Auditorium Hall will play host to the AFCKO annual full contact tournament after which it will be time for Zimbabwe to host the national Open tournament at the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex on July 28. They will wrap up the first half of the year with the Kyokushin Union International tournament in Cape Town, on August 25.

“Those are events we have lined up for total participation as Zimbabwe So-Kyokushin Karate-Do Organisation,” said Samson Muripo, the reigning Zimbabwe Sportsperson of the Year.

@skhumoyo2000