adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
WORLD Kyokushin Championships bronze medallist Samson Muripo is enjoying his moment of glory following his latest grand achievement on the global stage in Bulgaria at the weekend. The 35-year-old put Zimbabwe on the world map once again when he beat Azerbaijan’s Gulmammadov Mehraj for the third place to win our only medal at the tournament.
Mehraj had lost to Yorgov Nikolay of Bulgaria in the other semi-final.
Muripo, a former middleweight kyokushin world champion, lost to eight-time champion Abdurashidov Shamsutdin of Russia in the semi-finals. Shamsutdin was the eventual winner of the championships with Nikolay claiming the silver medal.
Muripo said winning a medal was special.
“It’s a high-profile accolade, the tournament is almost the same as the world championship because it had the finest fighters.
“Every fight was like the final because of the quality of the fighters that were taking part.
“In the last 16 I fought a guy from Ukraine and we drew in the first round and we went for another bout. I salute God for the fighting spirit He normally sends to me when I am in such a situation.
“In the last eight I met a Japanese guy and we drew twice before I won in the third round. I then fought the world champion in the semi-final.
“God pushed me and I am proud to represent Zimbabwe,” said Muripo.
Zimbabwe sent six fighters — Muripo, Mugove Muhambi, Admire Chingozhoro, Brian Chiringa, South Africa-based Sydney Veremu and Kudakwashe Katiyo.
Muhambi lost in the second round.
“It was really a tough competition, most of the participants are world champions and it means we are still at the top in the world after what sensei (Muripo) has done.
“I am so proud of sensei Muripo, he has showed us that he is a true warrior and I am happy we came back home with a trophy,” said Mugove.
Katiyo, who was competing in an international tournament for the first time, said the championships were an eye-opener and a learning curve for him.
Online Reporter