Kyokushin-kan head calls for united front

join the newly-formed Kyokushin World Union which will see them competing in the Olympic Games.
Hatsuo Royama of Kyokushin-kan, Hanshi Steve Arneil, of the International Karate Federation, and Loek Hollander, of Kyokushin World Federation, formed the Union in October in Moscow.

Marange said the move will open opportunities for the karatekas to compete at the Olympic Games.
“As kyokushin style we have come together and now we are going for the Olympics unlike before when we could not compete in the Games.
“As Zimbabwe we can now have one national team and we can now work with the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee.

“It’s a breakthrough because full contact was not in the Olympics.
“If different kyokushin styles come together, even those from other full contact styles will have the opportunity to learn different angles,” said Marange.
Marange said the development will also see the karatekas getting more international exposure.

“The organisation is big considering the countries that need to qualify for the Olympics and it means more exposure for the fighters.
“I was appointed as the representative for the organisation and I have been tasked with development in Malawi and Botswana,” said Marange.
The branch chief said they will be heading for England on December 14 for the European Championships.

“We are going to England with Mugove Muhambi and Admire Chingozhoro, they will battle it out in the heavyweight category,” Marange said.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe extreme contact karate are set to host an invitational tournament next week in Mbare.
Extreme contact Zimbabwe director, Rhodesia Mhosva, said the event was open to all styles that practise full contact.

“This is an annual event and it’s open to all full contact styles.
“We have been holding this tournament since 2002 when it was introduced and, in terms of participation, it’s currently stable. We have guys who have participated at international events,” said Mhosva.

Mhosva said the competition was expected to promote the profile of the sport.
“For this tournament we want to promote karate and the rules will be very strict.
“We have participants coming from Midlands, Matabeleland, Masvingo and Mashonaland Central, in the other provinces, participation is still very low,” Mhosva said.