Muripo humbled by gesture
AS local karatekas brace for the Samson Muripo Challenge Cup to be staged at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex this coming Friday, the veteran fighter says he is humbled by the gesture.
The tournament to honour and celebrate Muripo’s achievements is being organised by Zimbabwe So-kyokushin Karate-Do Organisation and is going to feature fighters from various styles.
“I feel so humbled, realising that Zimbabwe So-Kyokushin Karate-Do Organisation decided to host a karate tournament in my honour.
“I dedicated my life to kyokushin karate development in the community of my proximity hence this will go a long way in magnifying my aspirations for something I do by instinct as well as ready to die for. Aspirations give consistent order to life.
“I always had a thought of this happening after this corruptible, this mortal has put on immortality. I have always had a positive mentality but this honour is much higher than I thought. My prayer is that it must not end with me. But we must ensure that all respectable and deserving karatekas receive due recognition and reward,” said Muripo.
Apart from competition, Muripo, who is Zimbabwe So- Kyokushin Karate- Do Organisation branch chief and development officer for Africa, spends most of his time in training and assisting upcoming fighters.
His desire is to see the continuation of growth and success coming from the sport he loves and the Challenge Cup is an opportunity to watch the next generation in action.
“Given another day on earth, surely I will be in attendance, watching the proceedings of my number one sport, kyokushin karate.
“What is more special is that this tournament is happening during my lifetime. At the tournament I will be watching young karatekas, both male and female, going through their paces.
“There is more satisfaction in seeing young men and women take up kyokushin karate, battling to take the mantle forward.
“Mentoring young people into world champions has always been a cause for concern, down in my predestined path. So I’’ ll be enjoying myself at this tournament watching the structures we have put in place for so many years in operation.
“What is also gratifying is that this tournament is being organised by local karatekas, and to some extent using their own resources. The desire and zeal is humbling,” noted Muripo.
The top karateka got a boost from TelOne who came on board with financial assistance for his build-up for the second So-kyokushin World Karate Championship in Japan.
“I am very humbled by the support I got from TelOne.
TelOne has gifted me with a cool broadband package of 40GB for 12 months to stay connected and some financial assistance as I prepare for the second So-Kyokushin World Karate Championship to be held in Shizuoka City, Japan on the 18th and 19th of April, 2020.
“However, we still need more corporates to help us cover other expenses relating to the trip which includes air tickets, accommodation and food,” said Muripo.
Zimbabwe So- kyokushin Karate- Do Organisation technical director Kumbirai Musinami has predicted an exciting event when they host the Challenge Cup since they are using the competition to assess their readiness for regional and international events lined-up for 2020.
LONDON. — Jurgen Klopp described his team’s 25-point lead at the top of the English Premier League football table as “insane” after Sadio Mane struck to give Liverpool a 1-0 win at storm-hit Norwich on Saturday.
The champions-elect were short of their fluent best in blustery conditions caused by Storm Dennis at Carrow Road but returned immediately to winning ways after their winter break.
They have now gone 43 top-flight matches unbeaten, just six behind Arsenal’s record of 49 games in 2003-04 and are sprinting towards their first league title for 30 years.
Liverpool have earned 103 points from the past 105 available to them in the Premier League, winning 34 of their past 35 matches, and have one more point — 76 — than Manchester United accrued in winning the league in 1996/97. Klopp said the wind and Norwich’s organisation made it a tricky game but his players remained calm.
“I could tell in all the players’ faces that they weren’t nervous, they were enjoying it, and if one team was going to score it was going to be us,” he told Sky Sports.
“We protected against the counter-attack well too. It’s really all about these wonderful football players.
“The gap is so insane, I don’t really understand it. I’m not smart enough. I’ve not had that before. It’s outstanding, it’s so difficult. I go back into the changing room and we chat about the things and then I’m like ‘oh, but congratulations. We won the game, another three points.”
The result leaves Daniel Farke’s Norwich rooted to the bottom of the table, six points behind 19th-placed Watford. They look set for an immediate return to the Championship despite their battling performance.
Klopp brought back midfielder Naby Keita for his first start in a Premier League match since December and Mane was on the bench as Liverpool started full of confidence.
The visitors controlled possession in the early stages without creating many clearcut openings but Norwich managed some brief spells of attractive passing football themselves.
Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino was particularly impressive, producing an exquisite piece of skill to control a long Jordan Henderson pass before the ball was stolen off his toes as he shaped to shoot. — AFP.