adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S karatekas put up a good show in Botswana over the weekend when they scooped six medals at a regional invitational tournament.
The one-day competition held on Saturday in Gaborone attracted athletes from Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the hosts. Participants took part in the junior and seniors divisions and Zimbabwe had a good day as local athletes won four gold medals in the juniors section, one silver and a bronze.
They got their gold medals from Miguel de Brito in the seven years boys’ kata and kumite events. Raphael Mukondiwa weighed in with gold in the eight-to-nine years kata.
Mukondiwa won silver in the kumite event as well.
Tanaka Mazhata clinched gold in the 10-11 years kata and in the seniors’ competition, Winston Nyanhete got a bronze medal in the male Under-67kg weight division.
The pair of Dean Ramsey and Gerald Muusha found the going tough in the Under-60kg and open kata division.
The team was accompanied by Simbarashe Mazhata as the coach and he was happy with the fighters’ showing.
“Our team is not that bad compared to other countries, we are there but we just need to polish up a few things. Our kids did well. For those that lost in the kumite it is just because of the size.
“I think we must also give them more competition so that they will understand the rules as they need more exposure. The seniors we took to that competition were experienced.”
ZKU president, Joe Rugwete, hailed the team for their efforts and said it shows the country has a bright future in the sport.
“They did us proud and brought back four gold, one silver and one bronze medal. A very impressive and successful tour by our young athletes which indicates the quality of talent we have.
“If we maintain our focus on young athletes, we will dominate the region and the continent in the near future,” said Rugwete.
However, Rugwete said lack of support from the government continues to haunt local athletes when they go for competitions outside the country.
Online Reporter