adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Karate Union full contact team to participate in the All Japan Karate tournament in Shizuoka, Japan, next month are set to meet in Mutare today for a training seminar running until Sunday.
The seminar will be conducted by renowned karateka Samson Muripo, who is also part of the fighters travelling to Japan. The other karatekas are Admire Chingozhoro, Naison Chituwa, Tangayi Mhlanga and Likhwa Khumalo.
The tournament is pencilled for April 14 and 15
ZKU technical director full contact, Kumbirai Musinami, confirmed the development and said the seminar will also include fighters that have been shortlisted for regional tournaments.
“We will be having a training seminar in Mutare with Shihan Muripo. He is coming (from South Africa) for that seminar. He will be coaching and assessing the progress we have made.
‘’The guys were training very hard, almost six hours every day. So we have covered much ground in terms of preparations,” said Musinami.
The team is made up of seasoned fighters that have been to the bigger events before and Musinami said they will be out to win so they needed the experience.
“Because of the limit of funds we will be looking at potential medalists. If we had more funds we would have taken the upcoming ones. But for people like Tangayi, it’s his first time at the All Japan tournament though he has international experience. He has been to Nepal, he has been to Iran.
“But we are saying the Japan tournament is competitive and he knows what to expect. Expectations are high Admire did well last time, he was second, so we are expecting him to bring a title this time around. And the other guys going there they have international experience. With Shihan Muripo there it will assist them,” said Musinami.
The ZKU technical director said on the administrative side it’s also looking promising as they have secured the airfares for the athletes and are now working on accommodation.
Online Reporter