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THE Zimbabwe Karate Union (ZKU) will this weekend have one of the sporta��s prestigious event in this yeara��s calendar when they host the renowned world chief instructor Shihan(Master) Keiji Tomiyama (pictured) in Bulawayo.
Tomiyama whoa��s from Japan currently resides in England.
The purpose of the Japanesea�� visit is to give training to local karekatas in order for them to reach world standards.
a�?He trains us and makes sure we are up to the required standard in our style which is Kufokan,a�? said organiser of the event Gerald Muusha.
a�?He also upgrades students who practice our style into the next position in karate,a�? he added.
Kufokan is one of the top three karate styles practiced in Japan together with Wado-ryu and Kyokushinkai.
In the past, the karate gurua��s visits to the country have been serendipitous.
Last year more than 30 karekatas had the opportunity to be trained by Toiyama at Railton sports club.
a�?The reason why he comes to the country annually is that our local karekatas lack the funds to travel to him for training. He visits all countries in the world where the style is practised. The main reason he visits us is to cut costs and avail a training opportunity to the martial arts students practising the style,a�? he said.
a�?This opportunity is also an opportunity for us local instructors to have a glimpse of whata��s required of us at world standard.a�?
a�?Instructors from all over the country will also congregate at the prestigious event because it happens once in a year. The skills we have acquired in the previous years have been vital even in coaching our national representatives. They have gone on to display them in competitions and it has helped them to emerge victorious,a�? said Muusha. .
Online Reporter