admin
Allen Khumalo, Sports Reporter
SEVEN-year-old Ruvarashe Makokowe was the toast of the Bulawayo Metropolitan Karate Association (BMKA) Championships held at Bulawayo Bowling Club on Saturday when she scooped two gold medals competing with boys.
Makokowe emerged champion in kata and kumite in the mixed gender category as there were no girls in her age group.
Adele Tshabalala was the other girl without opponents in her 15-16-year age group and ended up competing against senior boys in the Shito-Ryu, but she did not make the final.
She was awarded a gold medal for her age group due to the courage she displayed competing with senior boys.
Although it was originally expected that competition would be in five karate styles, only three styles, Shito-Ryu, JKSA and Sankukai Dragons, were on offer.
Kimura Shukokai International (KSI) excused themselves on the grounds they were holding training sessions in Harare with an international instructor, while most of the JKA Shotokan students are from Nust, which is closed for the holidays.
“Instead of 10 age groups/weight categories, we ended up with just two, that is 7-8 years and senior men categories. This ended up disadvantaging two girls, who bravely decided to compete with their male counterparts while a junior boy competed with the seniors,” said BMKA technical director Ndabezinhle Mazibuko.
“The girls really showed promise and will no doubt acquit themselves well in the national championships on Saturday. Despite others not showing up, the tournament was exciting and we hope they will be able to join us in future competitions.”
In the 7-8-year boys’ category Clifson Moyo and David Manjoro, who were the only participants, scooped gold and silver respectively in both the kata and kumite.
In the senior boys’ kata, Leslie Jawi (17) snatched gold from his brother Mayibongwe, who settled for silver, while Emmanuel Nyathi won bronze.
Advocate Ncube scooped gold in the senior boys’ kumite, Jawi and Rinnah Chikosi took silver and bronze respectively.
@khumzallen
Online Reporter