Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE So-kyokushin Karate-Do Organisation technical director Kumbirai Musinami has described their dan and kyu technical promotion held in Makaha, Mudzi over the weekend as a success.
Forty-five students were graded to different levels with the most senior promotion being the third dan to the quartet of Tashinga Mandaza, Garry Musami, Patrick Mangwiro and Vurayi Marima.
Evans Mutsahuni and Simbarashe Khumba were the successful candidates for the second dan.
“These were the most senior promotions that took place while we had first dans and kyu (colour) belt promotions.
“In total we had 45 candidates who underwent the grading examination. The event was a resounding success,” said Musinami.
The organisation was not just focusing on the promotions but also taking the sport to a different province.
They also held their annual awards to honour outstanding members in the year.
“Our aim was not only to conduct a grading examination but also to reach out to the karatekas and non-karatekas in Mudzi and spread the knowledge and benefits of karate.
“And indeed, the turnout was encouraging and commendable.
“We had our organisational annual awards in which we took time to honour the performance, effort and hard work of our members while motivating the other members to continue working hard.
“We also had a special award for our patron Engineer Martin Manuhwa for his unwavering dedication and support to the athletes, and we are forever thankful and greatly appreciate his effort, advise and support,” said Musinami.
For Mutsahuni apart from earning his second dan, he walked away with the Instructor of the Year Award.
“It is a very great honour for me to be graded from Shodan to Nidan. It simply means I am growing in karate, increasing my techniques and ready to teach.
“There are a lot of advantages that come with such growth, which include earning respect and greater knowledge of advanced kata, improved sparring as well as creating leadership roles to guide or teach junior students.
“It also creates reputable names to my seniors, for example our world champion shihan Samson Muripo, who is the organisational branch chief as well as our technical director shihan Kumbirai Musinami.
“Being nominated instructor of the year 2025 reflects my dedication to So-kyokushin karate and I am so humbled.
“It is a motivation for me and other karatekas, which increases organisational growth,” said Mutsahuni.
As they held the last event on their programme for 2025, Musinami said they are anticipating a busy calendar in 2026.
The organisation also presented certificates of honour to its members who participated at the 1st Kyokushin Kenbukaikan World Championships in October.
These include gold medallists Tatenda Kambarami, Simbarashe Khumba and Tafadzwa Mutize, and officials that participated in different roles at the tournament.
Most of the fighters were making their debut in a world tournament, and Kambarami was crowned champion in the Women’s Open category while Khumba and Mutize emerged tops in the men’s Under-80kg and Under-70kg categories, respectively.
Awards
Organisational Excellence
Samson Muripo
Referee of the Year
Patrick Mangwiro
Instructor of the Year
Evans Mutsahuni
Most Improved Athlete Award
Edwin Manyika
Most Spirited Award
Tsitsi Muranda
Most Active Award
Kumbirai Musinami
Rising Star Award
Abiathar Dhliwayo
Leadership and Courtesy
Masline Manhanga
Certificate of Honour for World Tournament Participation held In Zambia, 1st Kyokushin Kenbukaikan in Lusaka, Zambia, from the 24th to the 26th of October 2025
Simbarashe Khumba
Elvis Chikono
Tafadzwa Mutize
Ashley Munyendo
Tatenda Kambarami
Flory Chandavengerwa
Abiathar Dhliwayo
Officials
Samson Muripo
Evans Mutsahuni
Loice Chatizah
