Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE So-kyokushin Karate-Do Organisation technical director Kumbirai Musinami has said they would want to see growth of the sport across the country as they take their technical promotion to Makaha, Mudzi in Mashonaland East province.
The dan and kyu promotion is slated for today and tomorrow.
“The idea is we are trying to move away from the usual process where we used to grade here in Harare, and people would come to Harare.
“Now we are taking the grading out to the other provinces and we are starting in Mudzi, there in Mashonaland East.
“The idea is we want karate to be accessible to everyone who is out there who has got an interest in karate. The main thrust for us to go to Makaha is to try to reach out.
“We know the sport is actually more marginalised in those areas, that the practitioners out there are behind compared to those that are in the cities.
“So, we want to try and develop karate for the whole nation, in the remote areas. There is a lot of talent there that needs to be tapped into our national teams.
“So as So-kyokushin we have deliberately and consciously made this decision to hold our grading in Makaha,” said Musinami.
The grading will be led by branch chief Samson Muripo.
He will be assisted by other senior karatekas from the organisation including Musinami.
Musinami said the annual event is an opportunity to also evaluate the progress made during the year.
“The highest grade that is going to be graded is third dan. There are some athletes who are due for their third dan grading. Hopefully, they will make it.
“It’s an examination which will only be confirmed after the grading.
“And that being the highest grade that is going to be graded, the lowest is actually the 10th kyu, the very first grading.
“We are going to have the kyu grading and the dan grading all together.
“It is an annual event where we upgrade our athletes to new ranks. It’s also an opportunity for us to take stock and see how we have moved throughout the year,” said Musinami.
The grading process focuses on a number of aspects from the physical to the mental strength of fighters, through the kata and kumite.
“The process of grading is quite thorough. It tests the physical fitness of the athletes, the mental strength.
“We want to see if they are strong mentally because the exercises are not going to be that easy.
“But the idea is to try and see mentally if our athletes are up there, which is what challenges most fighters when you go for tournaments.
“During grading, there is a test for stamina, there is a test for mental strength, there is a test for balance.
“There is also a technical test to see if you have mastered the karate techniques that are there.
“We also test on the technique, the karate techniques and the kicks and the punches while looking at balance and execution of the technique and sharpness of technique.
“We also test on the technique, the karate techniques and the kicks and the punches while looking at balance and execution of the technique, sharpness of technique,” said Musinami.
They are expecting between 70 to 80 karatekas to attend.
