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Brighton Zhawi
LEANMORE MASONA doesn’t look like the Zimbabwean karate king as he tries to manoeuvre his haulage truck onto the side of the road.
Clad in a blue work suit and all sweaty the 24-year old, who works for his father’s Masona TPT Beira company, comes across as a weary and overworked driver who is incapable of harming even a fly.
However, exchanging a handshake with the 2015 Zimbabwe Karate Union Champion of Champions winner makes one think twice about judging him at face value.
His grip is firm, his knuckles charcoal black.
“Gone are the days when karatekas used to move around like movie stars, picking up fights. Discipline is key in karate and it has to show all the time,” said Masona with a chuckle.
Masona, a brown belt holder, beat Daniel Kwaramba in the final but sadly the win did not come with any financial rewards.
Not that the champion is complaining, he does it for the love of the game!
“I love karate very much, it comes second after my family,” said Masona who took up the sport while still at primary school.
Masona appreciates the challenges that come with being a champion.
“Now I am going to be training like I have never done before because everyone will be out to defeat me. I train from 6pm -9pm at the Glen View 3 Hall and I must give credit to my instructor Senpai Lovemore Masimba Nyamutswa for his guidance.
“My elder sister Mai Sokhani and my number one fan my uncle Mukumbuzi, have all been very helpful,” he said.
Due to pressing work commitments Masona makes the most of the time he gets to spend in the dojo.
“It’s not easy balancing karate with the job of being a haulage truck driver because both are very demanding. However, I have to find a way so I always make time to train, I don’t retire to bed without training,’’ said Masona who normally plies the Harare – Beira route.
His inspiration comes from a very popular source in Zimbabwean karate.
“I hope one day to reach the levels of Sensei Samson Muripo. We work hard in training because we know it’s not easy in this game.
“Winning the champion of champions means I have created a good platform to launch my career but there is also need to continue respecting fellow fighters because they are also good at their game,” said Musona.
Online Reporter