Zim karatekas confident
ZIMBABWE’S karatekas at the World So-Kykokushin All-Japan International Karate tournament in Shizuoka will be hoping to write another success story when they go into battle today.
The competition gets underway with the elimination rounds and the finals are slated for tomorrow with fighters drawn from across the world fighting for honours in the Open tournament.
Zimbabwe has over the years had athletes competing in the event and among them is Admire Chingozhoro, who in 2016 grabbed a silver medal, while Samson Muripo came sixth.
Muripo is part of the team in Japan together with Likhwa Khumalo, Naison Chituwa and Tangayi “Mighty” Mhlanga.
Speaking from Japan, Chingozhoro, who is the team captain, said they are positive of a favourable result.
“We are well prepared for this tournament. We hope we are going to raise our country’s flag high. I believe we are going to bring something back home.
“This time I did had time to rest, so I am targeting first position in the 49th edition of the All Japan Karate tournament, I definitely promise that,” said Chingozhoro.
In the same year that Chingozhoro came second, Muripo came sixth.
He had managed fourth place in 2015.
“We are good to go and do our best. Fighters from Japan, Russia and Iran are tough but for me the sky is the limit,” said Muripo.
The Zimbabwe Karate Union have challenged the team to do well with president Paul Danisa saying they are hoping for some medals considering these were experienced fighters who have been to the international stage before.
“The team left with five people and our medal hopefuls are Samson Muripo as usual, Admire Chingozhoro and Tangayi, those three I am expecting something from them.
“They have had good preparations, even their travelling arrangements, they had a day or two to acclimatise.
“Yes, competition will be tough because other athletes will also be adequately prepared, it won’t be a walk in the park but I know they will bring us something,” Danisa said.
He said with the likes of Muripo setting the bar high, they would want to maintain that going into the future.
“We obviously was to continue at that level and we are also making sure that we have got people to take over when they leave.
‘’We have athletes like Tangayi, he is the youngest, he has more years ahead of him but soon or later Muripo and Admire will be leaning towards coaching,” said Danisa.
Apart from the powerhouses Russia, Iran and the hosts Japan, other countries attending this year’s edition are Philippines, Sri Lanka, Australia, Sweden, Brazil, China, Argentina, Holland, South Africa, India and Pakistan.