Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE National Karate Federation head coach Winston Nyanhete says the future of the sport is bright after his young karatekas picked up eight medals at the ongoing African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games in Windhoek, Namibia.
Karate is one of the sport codes that make up Team Zimbabwe and they completed their competition on Saturday.
Nyanhete had a team of eight athletes who returned home on Sunday night with two silver and six bronze medals.
The coach, who travelled with the young karatekas for the AUSC Region 5 Games as team manager, was pleased with the outcome.
“I am happy with the team’s performance. We missed out on a few finals, so there is room to improve. We are on the right track.
“Maxine Kulupi missed out on a final because she got injured.
“She got a broken nose in the semi-final. After that injury she couldn’t perform at her best,” said Nyanhete.
The two silver medals came from Bongeka Mguni and Lovemore Mutune.
Mguni settled for a silver in the girls plus 66kg kumite, while Mutune also picked up silver in the boys Under-68kg kumite.
Mutune went on to claim a bronze in the kata competition as well.
He then teamed up with Trinity and Tawanda Kotsi for the team event and got bronze.
Trinity Kotsi had won bronze in the Under-68kg kumite.
Anita Machuma, got bronze in the girls Under-59kg kumite while Geraldine Muusha also weighed in with a bronze in the girls kata competition.
Machuma, Muusha and Maxine Kulupi then teamed up for the team event and got another bronze.
Nyanhete, said the Games were a good platform for exposure and preparing athletes for the future as they graduate to the senior level.
“Well, this is a good platform for them. It’s a very good exposure. This is something we are going to carry forward to the seniors.
“This is the same group that is leaving the junior division to go to the senior ranks, so it’s good preparation, good exposure.
“It’s a good yardstick for them, for their performance for the future.
“And also, it’s a good yardstick for us as coaches for the next coming crew, those who are 15 years, who are coming into this next division for next year, Mozambique Games.
“Now we know what needs to be done and the level of competition to expect,” said Nyanhete.
The next edition of the Games is due to take place next year in Mozambique.
With the Africa Karate Championships scheduled for Nigeria towards the end of this month, Nyanhete is hoping, with funds permitting, some of the young fighters can take part at the event.
“We have got the Africa Karate Championships happening in Abuja, the weekend of 25 to 27 July . . . That’s the next possible step, from Region 5 to move on to continental level.”
“We have got a National Championship that’s happening in Kwekwe but this is also on the 26th of July. Not everyone will get to go to the Africa Championship. It will be a small team.
“But there is a National Championship in Kwekwe, to be hosted by the Shotokan group, Japan Association there.
“We want them to share what they know with others. It’s always one of those things where we want them to rub shoulders with the others and it boosts competition,” said Nyanhete
The national federation use the Kwekwe tournament as a selection event also for the national team.
