Karatekas for Bulgaria Samson Muripo
Samson Muripo

Samson Muripo

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
FORMER World champion Samson Muripo will headline a six-member Zimbabwe karate team that left for Bulgaria yesterday to compete in the World Kyokushin Union Championships slated for this weekend.
The three-day event is set to start tomorrow and end on Sunday with fighters from across the globe expected to compete in nine weight categories from Under-65kg to 95kg.

Zimbabwe will be represented by Admire Chingozhoro in the super heavyweight, Mugove Muhambi in the heavyweight, while former world champion Muripo and Brian Chiringa will fight for honours in the middleweight category. Kudakwashe Katiyo will participate in the lightweight division together with Sydney Vheremu.

The championships are a combined event that will see various full-contact styles taking part. Zimbabwe Karate Union secretary-general Steven Charandura said they would have wanted to send more fighters, but they only got sponsorship for six athletes.

“We got funding for six fighters, it came through Shihan Hennie Bosman who is the World Kyokushin African chairman. He liaised with the international organisation and availed six tickets to Zimbabwe.

“In terms of preparations we are okay, these guys have been training together for the past six months as a national squad, so we can say our guys have been in camp for six months. As far as the technical preparations are concerned we are fully prepared,” said Charandura.
Charandura expressed confidence in the team and noted that most of the fighters have previously competed in tournaments of such magnitude and they know what to expect.

“From the previous engagement we had in the world, we have proved that Zimbabwe is a powerhouse as far as karate is concerned. I think we are equally gifted, talented and we are ranked among the best and we have no reason to lose.

“We have been in such events and we have done well, so we are the country to beat for most of these countries although there is Russia with good fighters. They train in the ice and their level of endurance and resilience is quite high so they may be a bit of a challenge to us,’ said Charandura.

Muhambi, who is going to battle it out in the heavyweight division, said they are expecting a tough competition since the competition will feature karatekas from various full contact styles.

“It’s taking all styles because they are trying to bring kyokushin together, so it’s going to be tough. It’s going to include all the best fighters in the world. As far as our preparations are concerned we have been doing well and we are ready to go.

“This time around we want to raise the country’s flag high,” said Mugove.
ZKU national technical director for full contact styles Tendayi Mutikani also reckoned that their team had adequately prepared for the championships.

“I think we can get something from the championships. These are people we do not expect to be eliminated in the first round.
“They are fit and well prepared. We have been concentrating on fights and endurance. There are no injuries, so we hope they will do well,” said Mutikani.

The fighters were accompanied by Emmanuel Kadiwa as the team manager.

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