Bulawayo to host karate championships

BULAWAYO will host the Lysavay Cup Karate Championship, sponsored by Lysavay, at Bulawayo Bowling Club today.

The tournament will starting at 10am with several top karatekas expected to grace the occasion that will run under Japan Karate Association rules in the categories of kata (forms) and kumite (fighting).

A strong field of contestants is expected to feature at the tournament with some of the biggest names in the Shotokan karate style expected to participate.

Athletes such as David Dube, Victor Bhunu, Abychester Chikwanda, Tapiwa Matsivo, Simba Chihlaba, the Ziwira brothers of Tinashe, Tamuka and Tinotenda, Chikka Ndiripo, Fungai Muchenje, Emmanuel Mehlo, the Mukucha brothers Arnold and Elton, Pholani Khanyile, Nyasha Kumire and Golden Musiiwa are expected to take part.

In the ladies’ category fighters such as Hazel Chirima, Rumbidzai Mpate and Rejoice Foto will battle it out for honours.

Students from the National University of Science and Technology are also expected to feature at the competition in huge numbers.

The competition will also cater for many developing fighters as the junior belts category will be done under the go-hon (five step) and ippon (point) fighting system.

Zimbabwe JKA technical director Gibson Sangweni said the competition was a good platform for experienced and upcoming fighters to showcase their skills.