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Caroline Magenga Sports Reporter
KYOKUSHINKAN International representative in Zimbabwe Shihan Tendayi Marange has encouraged local karatekas to make use of local instructors for assessments and grading instead of resorting to grading instructors from other countries.

Marange said the majority of karatekas in the country shunned the local grading instructors preferring to travel to neighbouring countries like South Africa for the same services that can be rendered locally.

Zimbabweans used to get grading from South African experts because the country did not have qualified personnel. But that was not until three years ago when the country got its first qualified instructors to conduct the grading procedure.

“It really boggles the mind why people prefer to travel across the borders to get grading when for the past three years we have had very qualified and competent instructors locally who can do the grading process.

“At times one can travel to Durban to get assessed and graded and they fail to make the cut hence they are forced to foot another bill to go for reassessment again, when they can just get it done here hustle free.

“I urge all local karatekas to stop shunning our local instructors as in this country we abide by the same syllabus and standards as in any country,’’ said Marange.

Over 50 karatekas from Empire Gym in Harare will be up for assessment next week while previously graded karatekas will be handed their belts on the same day.

“From November 7-8 at Empire Gym we will be assessing over 50 aspiring black belt candidates on the syllabus, movements, discipline and so forth.

“There are also other graded athletes who will have their black belts conveyed during the same event so it’s going to be a relatively big affair.

“Karate as a sport has grown tremendously as witnessed by the large numbers of students we are constantly assessing added to the even larger number who get graded across borders

“Zimbabwe has fighters who are ranked highly not only in Africa but in the world, the likes of Samson Muripo, Mugove Muhambi and many others so the assessment and grading process is very difficult as we always aim to uphold the standards we have set for ourselves as a country,’’ Marange said.