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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
AFTER hosting the first So-Kyokushin International tournament over the weekend at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex, Zimbabwe Karate Union technical director full contact styles Kumbirai Musinami has described the event as a huge success.

So-kyokushin were the hosting style but it was open to other full contact styles and Zimbabwe came out with 12 medals to top the medals table.

The hosts got four gold medals, five silver and three bronze in the various weight divisions. South Africa were second with eight medals – three gold, one silver and four bronze while Zambia had one silver medal.

Other countries that took part were Japan and Chile, who had one representative each, and Malawi. The tournament was graced by the International Karate Organisation Kyokushinkaikan: World So-kyokushin president Hanshi Daigo Oishi.

“The tournament was more successful than we thought, it was very tough to prepare for this tournament because we couldn’t find funds. I would say our fighters were prepared very well although I think we still have a lot of work in the women section. This is where we lost most of the medals.

“In the senior category we were very strong but we need continuity so that we keep feeding the higher category. Yes, we had many medals but we need to be feeding from all categories from our younger generation,” Musinami said.