Online Reporter
Takudzwa Chitsiga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
QUEENS Sports Club in Kwekwe will come alive this morning when they host the inaugural Midlands Karate Championships as part of the sport’s development initiatives aimed at growing the depth of karatekas.
The tournament targeting novice athletes from the age of three up to the open category compete in both the kata and kumite styles.
It is a brainchild of sensei Shepherd Ziwira certified JKAZ Shotokan fifth dan karateka, who has turned his personal journey into a wider community mission.
Ziwira, is now one of Zimbabwe’s most respected martial artists, a man who has built both a career and a family dynasty through karate, all the while using the sport as a tool to fight drug and alcohol abuse among the youth.
The seasoned administrator and coach said all is set for the tournament, which is aimed at improving Midlands karate athletes to do well in national, regional and international tournaments.
“We will be hosting the inaugural Midlands Karate Championships which will cater for age groups as young as three to the open category on Saturday.
“The tournament is good in that it will be a developmental aspect which gives us an opportunity to train upcoming karatekas for the national championships.
“As Midlands province our wish is to see upcoming karatekas making it to international stardom, and as elders we want to continue the legacy which we have built.
“We believe we have a lot of talent in the province and we are happy to be giving out some of these tournaments,” said Ziwira.
He also saluted the support they have received from the community and the parents.
“I am happy that we have a good response from the participants considering that most of the age group categories are attending examinations.
“We managed to get sponsorship from parents like Lucky “Dread” Dube (Ba Love) and honourable Energy “Dhala” Ncube.
“There is a lot at stake as athletes will walk away with medals and trophies as the tournament has both individual and team events,” said Ziwira. Ziwira, who is the heartbeat of karate in the Midlands Province has also committed a lot of his time to actively mentoring young karatekas. He has been on a crusade to use karate to help the youth in the Midlands province, to steer clear of drugs by keeping them grounded in discipline and sport.
