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Samson Muripo

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
WORLD Kyokushin bronze medallist Samson Muripo will next week head for Shanghai, China, to battle it out in the So-Kyokushin Cup International Karate tournament.The competition is slated for October 26 and will see karatekas from different countries fighting for honours in various weight divisions.

The former world champion will compete in the heavyweight section and will lead a team of five fighters with George Mutambu also in the heavyweight category.

Naison Chituwa and Likhwa Khumalo will fight in the lightweight category while Austin Mucheni will battle in the Open weight division. However, the limelight will be on Muripo, who won a bronze medal early this month when he competed in the combined kyokushin World Championships in Bulgaria.

The tournament in Bulgaria targeted fighters from different kyokushin styles such as kyokushin-kan and out of the six fighters that were representing Zimbabwe, only Muripo managed to win a medal. He lost to the eventual winner in the semi-final before he won the third-and-fourth-place bout.

The tournament in China is targeting fighters from kyokushin style only and Muripo is grateful he was not injured in his recent adventure as he noted that he is fit to compete in Shanghai.

“I think my mind was well prepared that I was not supposed to get injured. It’s like I have not been to Bulgaria, I am fit.  Bulgaria was a World tournament and this is an international tournament so it’s like Bulgaria was my preparatory event.

“I am expecting to do the nation proud.  However, it’s not going to be easy because I might be meeting new people who were preparing for this event only.

“Everyone is important and very dangerous, so no opponent is a walkover. Every fight will be more or less like a final,” said Muripo.
The 32-year-old has already acquired a visa for the trip while the rest of the team are expected to get their visas on Monday.

“I got my visa but we are still looking for sponsorship for the other guys.  Some of the fighters are at the embassy and should be able to get their visas by Monday,” said Muripo.

The team is expected to leave on Wednesday and will be accompanied by Kumbirai Musinami and Taurai Tarupiwa as the instructors for the team.