Mufundisi for fifth dan grading
ZIMBABWE IKO Kyokushin Nakamura branch Chief Tawanda Mufundisi is set be graded to fifth dan this month when he takes part at the International Karate Organisation Kyokushinkaikan Nakamura International Friendship Cup in Japan.
The event will take place from December 8 to 10 in Osaka and Mufundisi will be the country’s sole representative at the tournament.
The seasoned karateka is also hoping to make their local organisation official during the event that will be attended by some of the top officials of the international organisation.
Mufundisi said he is looking forward to the event and his grading as he graduates to a higher level but lamented lack of funding that has forced them to drop some of the athletes they were hoping to field at the international event in Osaka.
“We had a team of five athletes that was scheduled to leave with me for Osaka but again funds didn’t come up right as usual. So our board decided to send only me since I will be going for my fifth dan grading under a new organisation and they thought it was wise.
“The event is a ground-breaking one since I will be meeting the great Makoto Sosui Nakamura, a two-time world champion, and signing a contract for Zimbabwe to be recognised officially and a grading which is as good as done already.
“I am representing (Zimbabwe) in kata and I am still deciding on kumite,” said Mufundisi.
He is scheduled to leave for Japan today. The four karatekas that were initially selected to be part of the tournament are Jean-Claude Mufundisi, Wengai Katemanyengo, Gabriel Mukombero and Malvern Chomusora.
Some of them recently took part at the Champion of Champions Championships hosted by the Zimbabwe Karate Union. And Mufundisi said they were happy to conclude their year on a high after most of his fighters at the event scooped medals of different colours.
Jean-Claude walked away with a gold medal in the Boys Under-35kg while Tafadzwa Lindadi got silver.
His team also dominated the Boys Under-30kg with Ashwin Mufundisi claiming gold, Pride Zonda taking silver and Wellington Kusikwenyu settled for bronze.
In the Under-25kg, Felix Masenda walked away with gold as well as Tawanda Alexander in the Under-45kg and Elvis Chikono in the Boys Open.
Coresh Dumba settled for the top spot in the men’s Open and Shanil Masike got silver in the women’s lightweight.
“My team’s performance was awesome since we scooped almost everything on offer. The year wasn’t an easy one considering that we missed quite a number of regional and international events due to insufficient funds.
“However, we managed to send teams to Cape Town twice and Lusaka once. But each time we did that we brought good results,” said Mufundisi.
The Champion of Champions is the last tournament on the local calendar and is used to select national teams for the following year by both the semi and full contact styles.