adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S fighters Tangai Mhlanga and Pumulani Maphosa made their presence felt at the first So-Kyokushin International Karate tournament in Nepal over the weekend when they both claimed gold. Mhlanga got gold in the open weight category and Maphosa followed suit in the lightweight division as the Zimbabwean fighters demonstrated their fighting skills.
Mhlanga and Maphosa were invited by the Nepal So-Kyokushin Karate Association to take part in the tournament together with Samson Muripo.
However, Muripo could not compete as he got there late due to some visa challenges.
Speaking from Nepal, Mhlanga was elated after dominating in his respective category and is looking forward to other tournaments lined up for this year.
“I am excited about this achievement. It feels great to walk in the same path as Shihan Samson Muripo. This has made me hungrier for success,” said Mhlanga.
Maphosa was also a happy man after making an impression at the tournament.
“The feeling I am experiencing right now can never be explained. It takes being on that same journey to know what it means. This was never going to be possible if we did not have the support of the sponsors who came on board. We are really grateful to them,” said Maphosa.
Although he missed the competition, Muripo, who is also the Zimbabwe So-Kyokushin Karate Do Organisation branch chief hailed the two karatekas for putting up a good fight in Nepal.
“The results are not very surprising as Zimbabwe has great talent in karate. We have been unfortunate over the years not to have enough financial support to back our cause, but I think we are set to witness a series of great achievements.
“I arrived after the tournament. We had a hiccup on the visa issue in Johannesburg that we ended up rescheduling our tickets and flights were full from Dubai to Nepal on Friday,” said Muripo.
Muripo said he is now shifting his focus to another international tournament in Iran where he won gold last year in the senior men open weight division. He also claimed second position in the Under-90kg and third place in Kata competition.
“I will be heading for Iran end of month, Pumulani has to be part of the team. I am expecting to excel in Iran. I hope resources permitting, Zimbabwe will shine again,” said Muripo.
The former world champion said they are grateful to various sponsors including NetOne, TelOne, Dr Manson Mnaba and individuals’ who came on board to support their trip to Nepal.
“It allowed the fighters to have more focus on what needed to be done for their country on the fighting mat rather than worry about how they would get there,” said Muripo.
Online Reporter