Mtisi wins KUZ title

championships on Saturday.
Mtisi recently won the best regional karateka award at the Arosume Properties Kyokushin Karate Awards held in Mount Pleasant and on Saturday he clinched the men’s open division title of the senior regional tournament at Stodart Hall.
The tournament was graced by 10 South African karatekas, together with Shihan Bas van Stenis, and the participants took part in four categories – Men’s Open, Men’s Under-75kg, Men’s 65kg and the Women’s Open.
Clemence Kampila of KUZ Highfield dojo beat South Africa’s Andile Mvumvu to walk away with a bronze medal in the open category.
Cicilia Pitiseni scooped the title in the women’s category when she beat Priscilla Mlonyeni of South Africa and Mbali Msomi defeated Nyarai Zavhuta to finish in third place.
Lovemore Nyamutswa claimed the men’s under 75kgs title when he overpowered Shadreck Kwasha and Bongane Tsotetsi from South Africa beat Panganayi Zimunya.
In the men’s 65kg division the title went to Austin Mucheni who beat Malvery Muyambo to be crowned champion and Thokozani Ngcobo of South Africa overpowered Tendai Chaparadza to walk away wit the bronze medal.
KUZ technical director, Samson Muripo, described the tournament as a success.
“We hosted a very successful tournament. There were very amazing spectators and athletes. It was a very competitive event with prominent athletes, upcoming karatekas and South Africans on board. We had 49 participants,” said Muripo.
The KUZ technical director said having the South Africans at the tournament was important.
“There were 10 South Africans. They fight differently as compared to us and I hope our upcoming athletes discovered a lot. However, at the end of the day Zimbabwe tops.
“We are the powerhouse of Kykushinkai karate in the region and even the world shake at this magnificent talent we have in the country,” said Muripo. The tournament was sponsored by Arosume Property Development and the winners in all the four divisions walked away with trophies, medals and cash prizes.