Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOLLOWING her recent remarkable performance at the 1st Kyokushin Kenbukaikan World Championship in Zambia, Tatenda Kambarami is in a bullish mood as she braces for the Japanese Ambassador Cup this weekend.
The annual event that is hosted by Zimbabwe Karate Union in conjunction with the Japanese Embassy is slated for Saturday at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex.
Kambarami, who won the Women’s Open category at the world event in Lusaka, said she would want to continue with her good run.
“I continued training after the tournament in Zambia. I never stopped because I want to continue raising the bar, continue rising and inspire other women,” said Kambarami.
“As I prepare to participate in the Japanese Ambassador Cup, it will be more sparring for me. I am not letting the victory in Zambia get into my head and going into Saturday’s tournament I am aiming for a win.
“I just want to remain humble, focused, and continue competing in more tournaments and motivate women out there,” said Kambarami.
Participants will compete in different categories ranging from Under-25kg for children up to the Open category for adults.
ZKU president Tawanda Mufundisi is confident of a competitive event as they draw closer to the end of their programme for 2025, and athletes want to finish on a high.
“Usually when we have these final events for the year, athletes are geared because they have been to different tournaments and they are at the top of their game.
“We are looking mostly at the guys that went to the world tournament…The good part of this generation is that they still want to participate in each and every tournament we hold, which is good, we are going to have the best fighting again on Saturday.”
Mufundisi said the response from their affiliates was encouraging.
“Almost every member of the general assembly, meaning the heads of the different organisations (styles) affiliated to ZKU have confirmed their participation.
“But also, we have our good friends, who are non-affiliates like kung-fu, taekwondo, they approached us to say they want to participate in some of our events. We are expecting them to attend also,” Mufundisi said.
