Mutikani happy with karate preps

November 10 and is set to attract karatekas from across the globe including powerhouses such as Russia, Kazakhstan and the hosts.
The team is made up of former world champion Samson Muripo and Mugove Muhambi and they are set to leave for Japan on November 5.
The team has been conducting squad training sessions with other fighters from all full contact styles and Mutikani believes the two karatekas will do well.
“Preparations are progressing well and we are doing squad training. We are now concentrating on endurance because technically we are ahead. It’s been five months since we begun these preparations.
“We are focusing on fights for endurance because besides skills full contact is also about endurance. We are also trying to avoid injuries as the tournament is fast approaching so the fights involve experienced fighters who know how to control themselves.
“We expect gold from the guys, but we do not know what to expect in terms of the people they are going to fight. If they are luck at the draw they may progress to the finals.
“It’s always good to take first position,” said Mutikani. Mutikani said the competition is going to be stiff since this is an open tournament.
“This is an open tournament, there are no weight categories, so it’s going to be tough because of the weight. Our fighters are all in good shape,” said Mutikani. The team will be accompanied by coach Taurai Takarupiwa and manager Thomas Makaza. Muripo and Muhambi are experienced fighters who have competed at world tournaments before with the former having won the world title in 2009. Now Muripo has another chance of staking a claim for a second world title.
Previously the Kyokushin Union of Zimbabwe fielded fighters from their style but for this year they have engaged Muhambi in an effort to bring together full contact styles and form a national team that will represent Zimbabwe in Japan.
The two fighters were selected on the basis of their experience and international exposure.