Tangata dominates national lightweight champs

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
NATIONAL lightweight champion Brighton Tangata continued with his dominance on the local scene when he beat Justice Chihwayi in the Kickboxing Night tournament at Les Brown Pool on Saturday. The tournament was held as part of preparations for the World Championships scheduled for Turkey from November 28 to December 8.

The event attracted 14 participants who competed in bantamweight, light welterweight, lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight divisions. Tangata easily knocked Chihwayi out in the second round to win the match.

In other bouts, Isaac Marara beat Abisha Chapeyama in the bantamweight category while Alexander Ekwochi overpowered Tafadzwa Muropa on points in the light welterweight.

Wayne Moyo knocked out Godknows Chirinda in the first round to win another light welterweight bout while seasoned fighter Terrence Munemo beat Tinashe Ndava in the middleweight category.

Norbert Baziyoni put up a good performance to beat Michael Saungweme in the light welterweight category. Layman Loki overpowered Macleod Muswe in the light welterweight section while Absolom Chiturumane knocked out Trymore Ndou in the second round to win the heavyweight division. Zika president, Tony Kamangira, said the tournament presented them with the opportunity to assess the kickboxers set to fight in Turkey.

“We had guys from Beitbridge, Trymore and Michael. It was good to have the tournament, we realised that we need to continue to sharpen the skills of our fighters because when they compete at the world event they will meet some of the world’s best kickboxers.

“The performance was great and I am happy. It was good to see the support from the technical team, we were all there and observed the strengths and weaknesses of the team,” said Kamangira.

Kamangira said they were going to hold another tournament next week in Beitbridge before they leave for Turkey on November 27.
“We will have a second tournament in Beitbridge, it’s a process and we are inviting the corporate world and individual to come on board and support. On Saturday we had a number of spectators who came and they were all impressed with what they saw.

“Looking at the team that we have, I think they have what it takes to represent the country. Brighton Tangata was in Gabon and he has the international exposure, Isaac Marara competed in the Great North Three last month in South Africa and he got a silver medal.

“Tafadzwa also did well in the Great North Two but could not fight in last month’s event because of financial constraints,” said Kamangira. Zimbabwe qualified for the World Championships in June when Tangata and Munemo finished in the top three at an international tournament held in Gabon in June. They will be joined by Marara, Muropa and Chiturumane.