Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE National Karate Federation coach, Winston Nyanhete, is pleased with the consistency their young athletes have been displaying at major events.
This follows a fruitful outing at the 2026 African union Sports Council Region 5 Championships.
The team picked up 11 medals at the regional karate competition held over the weekend in Luanda, Angola.
Zimbabwe fielded 11 participants, consisting mainly the youths.
“The team’s performance was humbling provided we travelled by bus and most of our kata hopefuls did not make it due to delays along the way.
“Shayne Manyathela, straight off the bus to winning gold was amazing.
“Our girls team kata missed out because we were late to arrive but everyone put up a spirited fight.
“We managed to take a small team of 11 athletes out of a team of 43 because of financial constraints.
“I am happy with the team’s performance.
“The regional event has grown to become highly competitive over the years and I am happy our young athletes rose to the occasion last weekend,” said Nyanhete.
Makanaka Mulopa and Shayne Manyathela scooped gold medals in the Girls Kumite 16 to 17 years Under-66kg weight division and 12 to 13 years Boys Kumite respectively.
Georgina Mhondera and Trinity Kotsi weighed in with silver medals each.
Mhondera lost to Mulopa in the final of the Junior Girls Kumite 16 to 17 years Under-66kg to settle for silver.
Kotsi also finished second in the Boys 16 to 17 years Kumite Under-68kg.
Venus Mariwande picked up two bronze medals in the Girls Under-21 Kata and Kumite Under-61kg. Raylen Mohamed, Nicole Kadzombe, Rumbidzai Makamache, Shasmeen Yalabi, and Tanyaradzwa Ziwira got bronze medals each to take Team Zimbabwe’s total tally to 11 medals.
Ziwira was competing in the Senior Men.
The regional karate competition is part of the qualifying process for the African union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games to be held from December 4 to 13 in Maputo, Mozambique.
Karate is one of the 12 sport codes on the programme in Maputo.
“It was part of the qualification process together with the Youth League in Harare held in March this year…And our team stands a good chance of qualifying and sending a sizeable number of athletes,” Nyanhete said.
ZNKF president Joe Rugwete said; “I am very proud of this team.
“Eleven medals (two gold, two silver, and seven bronze) is an outstanding return from any championship.
“But what makes this performance particularly remarkable is the context in which it was achieved.”
Their next assignment is the African Karate Championships in Algeria, in September and Nyanhete appealed for funding to enable them to send a team to the continental event.
