Zimbabwe fighters dominate world stage in Zambia

Ellina Mhlanga, Zimpapers Sports Hub

The Zimbabwe Karate union (ZKU) has saluted their fighters for flying the national flag high at the 1st Kyokushin Kenbukaikan World Championship held over the weekend in Lusaka, Zambia.

The team of 30 athletes returned home with a rich haul of medals — seven gold, five silver and two bronze, after a tournament that also featured seminars and training sessions.

ZKU president Tawanda Mufundisi was full of praise for the team’s display.

“The team performed extremely well. They seemed very prepared for it and they did very well,” said Mufundisi.

He, however, believes Zimbabwe can scale even greater heights with more international exposure.

The country’s fighters dominated several divisions, including both the men’s and women’s open weight categories. Alfred Kaseke reigned supreme in the men’s open division, while Tatenda Kambarami announced herself on the global stage with a brilliant victory in the women’s section.

Kambarami, competing in her first-ever World Championship, was overjoyed after defeating opponents from Zambia and Russia to claim the title.

“That was a World Championship and it was a big challenge considering there were several countries there,” she said.

“I was nervous going into the tournament because it was my first World Championship. Of course, I’ve been to other events but this was different.

“In the end, I just had to believe in myself and the work we’d put in during training. Our officials were very supportive from the start, encouraging me and telling me I could win.”

In the men’s under 80kg division, it was an all-Zimbabwean affair as Simbarashe Khumba beat compatriot Robert Mashingaidze in the final to clinch gold.

“The competition was okay. It was not that tough,” said Khumba. “In my first fight I was a bit scared but after a few seconds I calmed down and everything went well. I gained confidence and started believing I could win.”

The 25-year-old credited his coach and inspiration, former world champion Shihan Samson Muripo, for shaping his journey.

“As I was growing up, my inspiration was Shihan Samson Muripo because I knew him since I was young. I fell in love with karate when I heard about him winning his first World Championship title in Japan,” he said.

It was also gold for Tafadzwa Mutize, who outclassed fellow Zimbabwean Elvis Chikono in the men’s under 70kg final.

Tendai Chikohomera (Girls Under 16), Alicia Mufundisi (Girls 16–17 years), and Takunda Mukumba (Boys Under 17) completed Zimbabwe’s list of champions.

The Lusaka event drew participants from Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, Tunisia, Russia, Rwanda, Poland, the United Kingdom, Spain and host nation, Zambia.

Mufundisi said the union will wrap up the year with two local competitions.

“We have the Japanese Ambassador Cup coming soon and the ZKU Champs of Champs, which we hold every year,” he said.

Results Summary

Girls Under 16

Tendai Chikohomera (Gold), Heizel Maupa (Silver)

Boys Under 17

Takunda Mukumba (Gold)

Girls 16–17 years

Alicia Mufundisi (Gold)

Women’s Lightweight

Flory Chandavengerwa (Silver), Natasha Chitumba (Bronze)

Men Under 60kg