Muripo scoops Sportsperson of the Year Award
KARATEKA Samson Muripo underlined his status as one of the top athletes in the country when he returned to the podium to scoop the Sportsperson of the Year at the Annual National Sports Awards ceremony in Harare last night.
This is the second time the former world champion has won the award.
He first grabbed the accolade in 2009, when he carved his name into the small elite club of the greatest athletes in the history of Zimbabwean sport, when he became the nation’s first black world champion.
This was after he had won gold in the men’s middleweight category at the Kyokushin Union World Cup in Japan.
This year proved to be another fine year for the top karateka, as he clinched gold in the senior men open weight at the Third International So-Kyokushin Karate Tournament in Ahvaz, Iran, in February.
Muripo made his presence felt at the high profile tournament as he went on to claim second position in the Under90kg weight division and third place in the Kata competition.
He also consolidated his status as one of the best karatekas to emerge from this country after he successfully went through a technical dan promotion to fifth dan in India to become a Shihan (master) in September.
He takes over the Sportsperson title from Charles Manyuchi, who won the 2016 award. It was a double for Muripo, as he also walked away with the Sportsman of the Year Award ahead of fellow karateka Brian Chiringa and golfer Nyasha Mauchaza.
The Junior Sportsperson of the Year went to tennis star Mehluli Sibanda. He also got the Junior Sportsman of the Year Award.
Sibanda was on top of his game this year, and some his achievements include two International Tennis Federation 18-and-Under South Central Circuit singles titles. He went on to claim two titles in the doubles during the same event.
Sibanda was also with the Davis Cup team in Egypt in July.
Bodybuilder Helen Costa Sinclair grabbed the Sportswoman of the Year Award, while female motocross rider Tanya Muzinda is the Junior Sportswoman of the Year. She won two bronze medals at two major motocross events in England in May and September this year. THE nasty fight between the Philip Chiyangwa leadership and former ZIFA chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze degenerated to new levels yesterday when the association imposed a life ban from football on their former secretary-general and threatened to file criminal charges against him.
Mashingaidze, who is accused of theft, fraud and costly ineptitude during his tenure as head of ZIFA secretariat, however laughed off the sanctions as a “joke of the year” and threatened that he would expose the alleged dirt at the association in a statement set to be issued today.
The ZIFA board on Tuesday resolved to ban Mashingaidze for life and the decision now awaits rubber-stamping by the congress, which is the highest decision-making body of domestic football.
ZIFA communications and competitions manager Xolisani Gwesela
Margaret Bangajena took the Sportswoman of the Year living with a disability and the Sportsman of the Year with a disability went to Elford Moyo.
It was a night to remember too for the Zimbabwe Sevens rugby side after the Cheetahs won the Team of the Year Award and their mentor Gilbert Nyamutsamba was crowned Coach of the Year.
Under the guidance of Nyamutsamba, the Cheetahs completed a fine year by qualifying for the Rugby Sevens World Cup scheduled for the United States in July next year.
Zimbabwe Aquatic Union got the Sports Administration of the Year accolade. They are one of the few national sport associations that are in full compliance with the Sports Commission’s statutes.
Zimbabwe Karate Union, who have now made it a habit to win ANSA awards, were also not to be outdone as they got the Sports Development Award.
Outstanding organisations and sponsors who have contributed in the development and promotion of sport were recognised with the Special Acknowledgement awards. And these include Prophet Walter Magaya, ZBC and Mashonaland West Province.
Samson Muripo (karate). Mehluli Don Sibanda (tennis).
1. Tanyaradzwa Muzinda (motocross), 2. Holly Bicknell (rowing),3.EmilyTariroJones(golf).
1. Mehluli Don Sibanda (tennis), 2. Chengetayi Mapaya (athletics), 3. Terence Liam O’’Hara (swimming).
1. Siphosami Moyo (athletics T11), 2. Pelagia Chidhakwa (athletics IC), 3. Elizabeth Matupe (athletics T12).
1. Edmore Solomon (athletics T46), 2. Raymond Nyati (athletics T11), 3. Munorwei Chakanyuka (athletics T46).
1. Margaret Bangajena (wheelchair racing), 2. Thandiwe Ndlovu (wheelchair racing), 3. Ratidzo Tomu (wheelchair racing).
1. Elford Moyo (wheelchair racing), 2. Samson Muroyiwa (wheelchair racing), 3. Michael Mudyanadzo (Golf Special Olympics).
1. Helen Costa Sinclair (bodybuilding), 2. Rutendo Nyahora (athletics), 3. Selina Manuel (bodybuilding).
1. Samson Muripo (karate), 2. Brian Chiringa (karate), 3. Nyasha Mauchaza (golf).
1. Zimbabwe Rugby Sevens (Cheetahs - rugby), 2. Zimbabwe Cricket Team (Chevrons - cricket), 3. Kenneth Raynor & Keegan Smith (rowing).
1. Gilbert Nyamutsamba (rugby), 2. Heath Hilton Streak (cricket), 3. Kristine Johnson (rowing).
1. Annie Joyce Muchenu (basketball), 2. Patrick Mukondiwa (boxing), 3. Agnes Chiroodza (netball).
1. Zimbabwe Aquatic Union 2. Zimbabwe Motorsport Federation, 3. Rowing Association of Zimbabwe.
1. Zimbabwe Karate Union, 2. Zimbabwe Ladies Golf, 3. Equestrian Zimbabwe.
1. Lorna Margaret Riley (swimming), 2. Leticia Chipandu, 3. Rosemary Mugadza.
Prophet Walter Magaya, ZBC, Mashonaland West Province.
Rowing Association of Zimbabwe, Triathlon Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Archery Association, Zimbabwe Equestrian Federation, Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union, Zimbabwe Karate Union, Zimbabwe Motor Sports Federation, Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, Zimbabwe Aquatic Union.