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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
IT was a full house on Saturday at Athenaeum Hall in Harare as the Zimbabwe Karate Union ended their 2016 season in style with the Champion of Champions tournament.

The annual event attracted over 200 fighters from both semi-contact and full contact styles. And what made the difference for this year’s edition was the coming on board of Africa Bet to support the tournament.

It was a battle of the best with seasoned karateka Victor Bhunu emerging victorious in the semi-contact men’s over 84kg.

Simbarashe Mapwashika took the Under-84kg title while rising youngster Dean Ramsey did not disappoint as he claimed the Under-67kg category.

Tinashe Ziwira came out tops in the Under-60kg weight division.

The senior women’s section was won by Chiccah Ndiripo.

ZKU technical director for semi-contact, Paul Danisa, was a happy man as their season came to an interesting conclusion on Saturday.

“The turnout was brilliant we had over 200 competitors and we are talking about top notch karatekas from all over the country. We had guys from Manicaland, Bulawayo, and all over and it was an exciting tournament.

“I have seen some awesome talent especially with the young kids, the youngsters. We had the eight to nine-year-olds and there is amazing talent there, just awesome. It means the future is bright,” said Danisa.

Fighters from the full contact styles were also not to be left out with a respectable turnout of spectators cheering participants at Athenaeum Hall.

Defending champion in the Under-65kg Pumulani Maphosa underlined his status as one of the best karatekas in the country when he beat Tinotenda Mudhokwani to retain the title while Joseph Mapolisa clinched the Under-75kg category.

Clemence Kamupila won the men’s Open title and freelance sports journalist Grace Chirumanzu also had a good day on the tatami when she beat Rutendo Dzvinyamurungu in the women’s Open final to be crowned champion.

Danisa attributed the success of this year’s edition to their sponsors, Africa Bet, and said it was motivating to end their year on a positive note.

“2016 had its ups and downs, there were one or two tournaments we could not attend because of financial limitations. But I think we have ended on a high note with Africa Bet coming in and we have got bigger plans going ahead, which we will reveal soon,” said Danisa.

Other Results

Semi-Contact Winners

Boys

7-8years: Jonathan Nyachowe.

10-11years boys: Tyrone Adams.

12-13years boys: Elton Murevanhema.

14-15years boys: Tadiwa Kumire.

16-17years: Tamuka Ziwira.

18-20years: Innocent Ntini.

Men Under-60kg: Tinashe Ziwira.

Senior Men: Nyasha Kumire.

Girls

12-13years girls: Nakai Mahachi.

14-15years girls: Alexandra Mandengenda.

18-20years: Elizabeth Banda.

Full Contact Winners

Boys

Under-30kg: Jean Claud Mufundisi.

Under-40kg: Tawanda Alexandra.

Open Boys: Justice Mutyoramwendo.