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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Karate Union marketing executive Blessing Ndoro says they are anticipating an exciting competition at the upcoming Samson Muripo Regional Kyokushin Karate tournament due to take place on November 5 at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex.
It is organised by Zimbabwe So-kyokushin Karate Do-Organisation in conjunction with Zimbabwe Karate Union and is held in honour of Samson Muripo, who is one the country’s outstanding karatekas.
The tournament began as a local event a few years back but it has since turned into a regional competition and this year South Africa and Malawi are expected to take part.
Registration for the tournament closed on October 15 with more than 160 fighters expected to compete in various weight divisions.
Ndoro said they have had a positive response from local participants.
“We have registered 169 fighters that are ready to battle it out. We had invited participants from the Southern African region and we have got response from two countries that are sending in their fighters, that’s South Africa and Malawi.
“Those two confirmed and sent in their fighters’ details who are actually registered.
“It was kind of an overwhelming response. We were anticipating probably like around 100 and below. But our local fighters probably because of Covid and the long break they responded overwhelmingly.
“So we hope to spread the word about karate across the country particularly to the youth, there are a lot of idle but talented youths that may find an alternative of time passing through karate.
“So we hope to send that message to the youth in the ghettos and across the country that there is an option, there is karate,” said Ndoro.
Ndoro said a number of corporates have come on board to support the event.
The tournament is also serving as a platform for selection of a team that is expected to participate in the Second So-kyokushin World Tournament in Osaka, Japan next year.
“So we are using this tournament to groom participants that will participate. The last eight in every category will be further groomed for the full year coming preparing for that world tournament.
“So those that are going to be successful and exceptional in this might get a chance to also participate in the upcoming world tournament,” said Ndoro.
ZKU technical director Kumbirai Musinami, who is also the Zimbabwe So-kyokushin Karate Do-Organisation technical director, said they have been working with dojos outside Harare as part of the preparation for the tournament.
“What we did as part of preparations, we have gone to the dojos that are outside Harare like Domboshava. This last weekend we were in Mutare where we met the Dangamvura dojo as well as the Chimanimani dojo.
“We are trying to make sure that people who are in the outskirts there, in the marginalised areas, they have got enough exposure and they have got same attention as those in the urban areas.
“So in this tournament we will be getting fighters from all those areas — Chimanimani, Domboshava, Rusape, Marondera — and we have been to all those areas as part of the preparation,” said Musinami.
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