adminEllina Mhlanga : Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE underlined their status as one of the powerhouses for full contact karate style in the Southern Africa region when they amassed 42 medals at the second All-Africa tournament staged at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex recently. The tournament attracted participants from South Africa, Malawi and Zimbabwe. The hosts scooped 42 medals including 14 gold.Some of the gold medals came from the men’s open weight category through Brian Chiringa and Pumulani Maposa in the Under-77kg.
Chiringa beat South Africa’s Lwazi Finca in the final and believes experience aided to his advantage during the tournament.
“Every fighter who was there was willing to fight to the end. But sometimes it takes a bit of luck and experience to win such fights. I believe all fighters there were equally good.
“When you get to the final you start to think that maybe I can win it and start to develop a game plan. And I think my game carried me on the day.
“It was a very good tournament and very well organised,” said Chiringa.
Chiringa is the reigning World Fighting Kyokushinkai Organisation championships African champion.
The men’s Under-67kg went to South Africa’s Anele Madlala while Tinotenda Mudhokwani won the Under-57kg.
In the women’s section South Africa had the upper hand in most of the fights including the open weight where Mbali Belafornia Msomi came out tops. They took everything on offer in this division. South Africa went on to claim gold in the Under-65kg through Nthabiseng Moloi. They walked away with 11 medals while Malawi, who were competing for the first time in the event came out empty handed.
Online Reporter