Muripo wins in South Africa

South Africa.
Zimbabwe were supposed to send seven fighters, but ended up sending a team of four fighters — Tawanda Mufundisi, Kelly Mtisi, Nicholas Muchatisi and Muripo.
Some karatekas who were supposed to be part of the team failed to go due to work commitments.
The tournament attracted fighters from various full contact styles such as ashihara, IFK, kyoukushinkai and kyokushinkan.
Mufundisi and Muchatisi took part in the middleweight category and they both lost in the quarter-finals.
Mtisi was knocked out in the first round matches in the open weight division. Muripo said the tournament was a good platform for his preparations for the world karate tournament to be held in Japan in November.
“This was a very good platform for my preparations. It was quite tough because I fought South Africa’s champion but I managed to beat him on the game plan, I was a bit wise on that.
“I am supposed to fight in November in Japan so I must have something like this as part of my preparations,” said Muripo.
Muripo commended his teammates despite their failure to reach the finals of the tournament.
The Zimbabwe Karate Union technical director responsible for full contact styles, Tendai Mutikani, who accompanied the team, was satisfied with their show.
“We were supposed to go with a lightweight fighter Austin Mucheni but he could not travel with us due to work commitments.
“Mufundisi and Kelly were our medal hopefuls but they lost with Kelly being knocked out in the first round. He was very unlucky.
“Nicholas Muchatisi did well for himself because it was his first time and he won two matches. He fought only one tournament in Zimbabwe.
“The competition was high and South Africa’s fighters have improved,” said Mutikani.
The ZKU technical director said there was need to find sponsorship for local teams so that they have an equal training platform with fighters from other countries.
“I think what we have to do is to train together as a team for three months before every tournament we want to compete in.
“We have to meet with seasoned and new karatekas.
“The other problem is finance and equipment. South Africa are far ahead in terms of equipment and facilities.
“We have to seek sponsorship to get the equipment,” Mutikani said.