HARARE A primitive sport whose main objective is merely to glorify violence that was my impression of karate when, because of the demands of work, I ended up among the hundreds of other spectators at the inaugural Homegate Kyokushinkaikan tournament at State Lottery Hall in Harare in 2007. (Pictured: Grace Chirumanzu (L) in action)Watching the fighters kicking and punching one another as if their lives depended on it, I just could not see the point of it all or why such beastlike violence could qualify as sport in the first place.
But that was until last June when, I walked into the dojo (karate training hall) not really because my view of karate had changed, but because I had a promise to fulfill.
When one of Zimbabwe s top fighters, Sensei Samson Muripo, left the country for Osaka, Japan, to take part in last Junes international Kyokushinkan Karate World Cup (KKWC) tournament I promised the karateka that I would train with him if he came back with the trophy.
With the quality of fighters that take part in the KKWC, it was an undertaking I never expected to be called upon to discharge. I was wrong! Sensei (Japanese for teacher) Muripo stunned the world and me, of course — by becoming the first ever African fighter to win the world middleweight championship title. And my debt was due.
Thus, I found myself in the dojo. And for someone whose knowledge of karate was limited to the mindless blood and violence that Hollywood movie makers regularly dish out as martial arts, my days in the dojo under the watchful eye of Muripo have been a revelation, an insight into the rich philosophy and teachings that are the soul of karate.
Karate, like its cousins as Judo, Taekwondo and Jiu-jitsu, is not just good for self-defense. It is both a physical and spiritual experience that ensures the health of the body and the mind, while the knowledge that one can handle any dangerous or difficult situation that comes with learning the art of karate is a source of vital self-confidence.
In addition, far from promoting senseless aggression, karate is, in fact, as much a sport as it is form of discipline.
Respect is the order of the day in karate. From the moment one enters the dojo and dons the white gi (karate uniform) and steps on the tatami (special mat where professional karatekas fight), one is obliged to show utmost respect to his seniors and responsibility to his juniors.
This is often done by bowing down and saying Osu!! a common Japanese phrase used as a greeting, expressing the willingness to strive against all odds or to persevere on the road to physical, mental and spiritual strength.
Kyokushinkaikan (Japanese for: the ultimate truth) is a full contact sport with but remains safe despite the vicious the kicks and blows that students exchange.
During tournaments elbow strikes to the head or neck are prohibited. However, kicks to the head, knee strikes, punches to the upper body, and kicks to the inner and outer leg are permitted. Children often wear protective headgear to lessen the impact of any kicks to the head.
But the training is not all easy and requires great courage and commitment for a beginner to go through all the steps and return for more the next day.
In my case, I found the stretches the hardest. In fact, I had to plug my mouth with a towel to avoid howling and screaming aloud as we were doing the butterfly stretch.
But for all the pain I have taken, in the past three months of karate training, I know I have absorbed with it knowledge, power and independence. Above all, I now know that no one can hurt me without my permission.
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News