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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter

AFTER a more than a year of inactivity, semi-contact karatekas are expected to return to competition on October 30 when Kurai Kofukan Karate club holds the second edition of the Kurai Open Karate Championships at the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex.

The tournament could not take place last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

But with sport now back and competitions taking place under strict Covd-19 regulations, the organisers of the event have revealed the event is going to take place on October 30.

It is open to other semi-contact styles and will feature karatekas from as young as six years up to veterans.

Kurai Kofukan Karate club chairperson Gerald Muusha said after a year of inactivity they are hoping for a good turnout.

“2021 is special for karate as it was showcased at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo for the first time. It is in this special year that we are hosting the 2nd edition of the Kurai Open Karate Championship after successfully hosting it in 2019.

“In line with the Olympic values of excellency, friendship and respect, lies the basis for this championship as we seek to bring together karate family after over a year of inactivity caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This championship aims to make and cement our friendship from one end of to the other, and is an opportunity for excellency to be witnessed as athletes compete to prove themselves before the national coaching unit which shall be considering athletes to represent the country in upcoming regional, continental and international events to be held this year,” said Muusha.

The club is an affiliate of the Zimbabwe National Karate Federation.