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Moffat Mungazi
Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN judokas — Natalie Madziyire, NokutendaMudzviti, Sensei Brian Chiminya and Sensei Moses Mutende — outshone competitors from other countries in the South Africa Judo Open Championships after scooping four medals during a tournament held in Port Elizabeth recently.
Among the participants who represented Zimbabwe at the prestigious competition were 21 learners from Milestone College in Rusape.
Madziyire and Mudzviti, who are Form Two learners at the institution, clinched silver medals in the +63kg weight and -57kg weight categories respectively.
The Harare-based pair of Sensei Chiminya and Sensei Mutende walked away with bronze medals in the -66kg weight and -81kg weight categories respectively.
Hosts, South Africa were joined by five other countries – Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Angola and Democratic republic of Congo — in the battle for top honours.
Milestone College Judo Club patron, Rangarirai Sithole, who is a holder of brown belt in judo, expressed delight at the two girls’ triumphant exploits in the competition.
He described the feat as impressive, considering that this is their first foray on the continental front.
“We are excited by this quite remarkable achievement scored by two of our learners at Milestone College, Natalie Madziyire and Nokutenda Mudzviti, who scooped a silver medal each in the South Africa Judo Open Championships held at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth. A total of 21 learners from Milestone College, comprising 14 girls and seven boys, took part in the competition; which ran from July 4 to 7.
“The performance by our boys and girls was awesome as they are still toddlers in this sport, given that we only introduced it last year in May at the college. Their exhibition of skill was impressive. Those podium finishes by the two girls are really encouraging and bode well for the future. Winning the medals emboldens us and there is still room for improvement. As Milestone College, we are looking forward with excitement and brimming with confidence of the bright prospects the future holds for Judo, not only in Rusape, but the entire Manicaland Province and the country at large,” said Sithole, adding: “We continue making steady progress from the time we started.”
So impressive were the other Rusape judokas that they narrowly missed out on clinching medals as well.
Nelly Zona, Thandiwe M’dimu, Dylan Zvenyika, Nyasha Mutangadura, Tishiana Machengo, Dylan Saurombe and Fedora Dube all finished in fourth positions in their respective pools which consisted of eight people each.
Sithole applauded parents and guardians for their continued support of Milestone College Judo Club’s activities.
He said they will continue to work closely with Judo Association of Zimbabwe for sound administration and development of the sport at the college and in the province.
Said Sithole: “The parents and guardians have been very supportive of this initiative since the establishment of the judo club here at Milestone College. We value and appreciate their support that the success of our club is guaranteed by their backing.
“The Judo Association of Zimbabwe — particularly its president, Smart Deke, who is a holder of a black belt in judo — has been very instrumental in spurring us to do more. Our club last year participated in two competitions organised by the association and we are grateful for their assistance in our endeavours.”
Milestone College Judo Club were among the competitors in the Japanese Ambassador Judo Tournament held last year in September, although they did not scoop winners’ medals.
Their victorious outing in the recent championships in South Africa, Sithole added, is a sign that they are moving in the right direction and points to greater achievements ahead.
Online Reporter