adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
FOUR So-kyokushin karatekas, led by former world champion Samson Muripo, left the country yesterday for the 47th All Japan Open tournament scheduled for this weekend in Shizuoka.
The competition is slated for Saturday and Sunday with participants from across the globe fighting for top honours at this annual competition.
The other three fighters representing Zimbabwe are Admire Chingozhoro, Shadreck Chigombe and Kelly Mtisi.
Zimbabwe So-kyokushin karate technical director Kumbirai Musinami said they are confident the four fighters will do well in Japan.
“We have sent seasoned fighters, Samson Muripo, Admire Chingozhoro, who is an international champion, Kelly Mtisi, a regional champion, and Shadreck Chigombe, who is also a force to reckon with.
“So we’ve got a good team going to Japan. I have confidence in them.
“Last week, we were in camp for three days in Vumba.
“The only hindrance we were facing was funding but we thank God, we managed to send the athletes to Japan,” said Musinami.
Musinami said they are hoping the team will surpass the previous performance from last year.
“Last year we sent four fighters and of the four, three brought medals. From the three that brought medals Samson Muripo and Admire Chingozhoro were part of the team.
“I think they have done their best in terms of preparations but you know it’s a competition. We are not expecting anything less than what we did last time,” Musinami said.
Speaking on the training camp in Vumba, Musinami said they took advantage of the programme to prepare for other upcoming tournaments.
“We had 10 dojos that participated. Of particular note was our Mutare side coming to camp.
“There is another tournament coming up in May, the Shorin Kempo Karate tournament in Johannesburg, South Africa.
“We had 70 fighters and we want the majority of them to compete especially in the next tournament in South Africa.
“And also we have our own tournament we want to hold in August at the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex, so this was the beginning of our preparations,” said Musinami.
The So-kyokushin technical director said they are hoping to make the training camp an annual event.
“For a first camp of its kind I think it was quite successful.
“We will be holding the camp annually because if all goes well next year we would want to host our first international tournament. Our Japanese office has already approved,” said Musinami.
Muripo believes the camp in Vumba was a major boost for them ahead of the weekend’s tournament.
“It will play as a morale booster for the small but a force to reckon with team.
“The sky is the limit and I expect it (the tournament) to be our dwelling place henceforward.
“The event is our first international outing this year, heralding the biggest showcase, the world tournament in October in the same city, same venue,” said Muripo.
Online Reporter