Phumulani Maphosa kicks her way to karate glory

of Zimbabwe tournament at Budiriro 1 community hall on Saturday.
Maphosa beat Ian Gendeza of Glen View dojo in the final to win the title while Luckmore Kandawasvika overpowered Joseph Mapolisa to finish in third place.
The competition was the first to be held by KUZ this year and it attracted fighters from Chegutu, Mutare, Chitungwiza, Domboshava and Harare with participants battling it out in the juniors and seniors categories.
The juniors’ category was made up of four weight divisions – Under-25kg, Under-37kg, Under-47kg, Under-57kg while the seniors’ category featured the lightweight and open weight division. However, the seniors’ competition could not take place last Saturday and will be held this coming weekend.
In the Under-47kg, Tawanda Chimbada defeated Shelvin Mugoni in the final and Tafadzwa Mushunje beat Paul Mutizwa.
Patrick Musungo won the gold medal in the Under-37kg after beating Shelton Mugoni in the final while Vusani Mandlazi overpowered Shaibu Misi to settle for third position. In the Under-25kg category the title went to Gamuchirai Mandisvodza who beat Hope Tsimba and Itai Deera defeated Isaac Bhero.
KUZ technical director, Samson Muripo was satisfied with the turnout of the fighters.
“We could not finish the event because we had a big turnout and we will have the competition for seniors in the lightweight and open category on Saturday at Raylton Sports Club. We had 150 fighters who turned up for the competition.
“Kyokushin karate is growing fast in Zimbabwe,” said Muripo.
For the seniors’ competition the spotlight will be on, Tendai Chaparadza who is currently preparing for the World Cup set for Kazakhstan in July.
Chaparadza is part of the team that will be representing Zimbabwe in Kazakhstan and Muripo, who is in charge of the team, said preparations are going well.
“We have been training very hard and the training is quite painful, it is really tough.
“We are talented differently and we are trying to sharpen each and everyone according to their ability. We already have the standard having a world champion,” said Muripo.
The KUZ technical director said they have a mammoth task ahead of them, as the competition at the World Cup will be high.
“Everyone wants to be a winner and we are going to do our best. We hope Zimbabwe will be proud of us when we come back,” said Muripo.
The team is scheduled to leave for Kazakhstan on July 1 with the competition pencilled for July 6.
The team is made up of Muripo, Chaparadza, Lovemore Nyamutswa, Kelly Mtisi, George Mutambo, Malvery Muyambo and Austin Mucheni.