adminSikhumbuzo Moyo : Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN karatekas represented the country well in the fifth edition of the Matlosana Cup held at the Banquet Hall in Klerksdorp, South Africa, at the weekend.The country sent 11 karatekas to the annual meet and four of them brought home medals ranging from gold to bronze.
Tungamirai Madzimbamuto won gold in the men’s Under-80KG category, while Precious Kazembe scooped two silver medals in the girls’ Under-50KG and ladies’ Under-55KG category.
Brenda Dunduru and Shelvin Mugoni came home with bronze medals in the girls’ Under-50KG and men’s Under-60KG categories respectively.
In addition to the medallists, other karatekas in the Zimbabwe touring party included Tinotenda Mudhokwani, Shelton Murape, Cosmas Banda, Trevor Jowo, Shadreck Chigombe and female sports journalist Grace Chirumanzu.
“The team did extremely well; they gave a good account of themselves to win medals after a long tiresome journey. I would like to commend their dedication to the sport and the moral support they received from the Union (ZKU) and the Sports Commission. The fighters proved beyond any reasonable doubt that with enough financial support for ideal preparations, Zimbabwean fighters are world-class material that can follow in the footsteps of Saiko (Samson Muripo) and Senpai Admire Chingozhoro,” said ZKU technical director Sensei Kumbirai Musinami.
Muripo was the first African to be crowned World Champion while Chingozhoro was crowned World Champion in Iran, last year.
derick.khumalo