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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter
LOCAL karatekas proved their mettle over the weekend when they dominated the Samson Muripo Regional Kyokushin Karate tournament at the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex.
The tournament returned after a two-year-break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The event is organised by Zimbabwe So-kyokushin Karate Do-Organisation in conjunction with Zimbabwe Karate Union.
It is held in honour of Samson Muripo, who is one of the country’s top karatekas.
This year’s edition attracted fighters from South Africa and Malawi, who had indicated they would send their team, failed to turn up.
Simbarashe Khumba beat Gift Mundonde in the final of the Men Open to be crowned the champion while the Women Open title went to Revai Madondo after she overpowered Kudzanai Motsi.
In another division featuring female fighters, Elizabeth Maguma defeated Kudzai Wodzera in the High School Girls Open.
In the boys section, Denzel Denhere beat Carlos Matingo to emerge the winner.
George Mucheni claimed the title in the men’s middleweight division when beating Brian Sabeta and in the men’s lightweight division Prosper Mupira emerged tops when he prevailed over Tafadzwa Mutize.
Zimbabwe Karate Union technical director, Kumbirai Musinami, said despite the long break, the fighters displayed some good techniques and skills.
“The level of competition was very high. Most of the winners they deserved to win, they worked very hard and you could tell the fighters prepared for the tournament.
“Their preparations paid dividends, even those who lost you could tell they had prepared, it’s only that in competition you win some and you lose some. I encouraged them to continue working hard. It was a great tournament,” said Musinami.
They used the tournament as part of their selection events to come up with a national team.
“We picked quite a lot of fighters, not only the winners but also those who showed they had great potential. So we start preparation for international events.
“It was an exciting tournament. What separated the winner from the loser was that little extra ordinary aspect. We are going to use the names of the winners and some with great potential who prepared to start preparing for national team.
“Remember we had other tournaments, the Nakamura, UWKKO and Ashihara in Chitungwiza, so from all these tournaments we had exceptionally good athletes, who can represent Zimbabwe in any event. So we will consolidate all our collection, train and select again,” said Musinami.
Among the major competitions they are looking forward to, for next year, is the Second So-kyokushin World Tournament in Osaka, Japan. Speaking before the tournament, Muripo expressed gratitude for the recognition of his efforts in the sport.
“In most cases, a gift among the people is recognised after it is no more but in this instance I am humbled to witness the unfolding of what I love most whilst my flesh and spirit are still one,” said Muripo.
ZKU marketing executive Blessing Ndoro said they are grateful to all the support they received for the tournament to take place and acknowledged the pair of Khumba and Mucheni for their exceptional performance in their respective weight divisions.
The tournament began as a local event a few years back but it has since turned into a regional competition and this year it featured fighters from South Africa.
This year’s edition marked the end of the local season for ZKU.
Online Reporter