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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ALL is set for this year’s Champion of Champions Karate tournament which will be held this weekend at the City Sports Centre in Harare. The tournament, which marks the end of the 2017 season, is slated for Saturday with semi-contact and full-contact styles fighting for honours in different weight divisions on offer.

ZKU technical director (semi-contact), Gerald Muusha, is optimistic of an exciting event since it is the last competition of the year.
“It is going to be highly competitive considering that it is the base for 2018 national team selection. And we have had a competition in October and November and athletes are still in their top shape. So we are expecting to see athletes in their best form ever,” said Muusha. The tournament is again being sponsored by AfricaBet who came on board in 2016 to support it.

Muusha said the coming in of sponsors to complement the karate mother-body’s efforts in promoting the sport is key in ensuring they keep up with international standards by providing the needed equipment during such events.

“It is the biggest karate event in Zimbabwe so far which is well sponsored, all because of AfricaBet who have come in to support and providing us with equipment. This makes us to be on track with the WKF (World Karate Federation) standards as we will be having everything we need in place.

“Hence with everything in place there is development in our athletes,” said Muusha. Muusha said they have several styles that have confirmed their participation including shotokan, shito-ryu and shukokai, with seasoned fighters such as Prince Nhangwa from Bulawayo, Dean Ramsey, Innocent Ntini and Innocent Gaini expected to be in action. On the women’s side the spotlight will fall on the likes of Elizabeth Banda and Hazel Chirima.

For the juniors the likes of Tinashe Tawengerweyi will be out to fight for the honours in the boys seven to nine years age-group. Liam Kirkman and Tanaka Mazhata are also set to take part in the 12 to 13 and 14 to 15 age-groups.

While for full contact styles IFK led by branch chief Tawanda Mufundisi have already indicated they will be out to take everything on offer come Saturday with at least 25 fighters set to represent the style. ZKU secretary-general, Steven Charandura, said they are ready to host the tournament and is hoping for a good turnout.

“For our technical directors this is the tournament they use to pick athletes to represent us next year, so we expect every athlete that believes has the potential to come and participate in this tournament,” said Charandura.