Many young Zimbabweans fascinated by karate movies shown on television dream of being professional karetekas one day. But with only a handful karate clubs or dojos in the country, few ever get to make it onto the Tatami (special mat where professional karatekas fight). {Pictured: Sensei Muripo (right)}The Zimbabwean on Sundays Grace Chirumanzu caught up with Sensei (Teacher) Samson Muripo, a 3rd Dan black belt holder, to find out more about how his journey to becoming a world class karateka. Excerpts:
Grace Chirumanzu (GC): When did you start training karate and how did your family react to you joining such a high contact support that many people regard as dangerous?
Samson Muripo (SM): I started training karate in 1993 when I was in Form Two at Ndima Secondary school in Chimanimani. Some of teachers at the school started a karate club, it was something we saw as cool those days because they used to screen Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee movies at school, and I wanted to be like how these big starts were in the movies. However, when I started attending tournaments in 1998 my family started complaining about me getting involved in the sport because tournaments are more aggressive than the training we used to have at school. Sometimes I would come home with swollen legs and hands — but my parents now accept what I do.
I got a brown belt in 2000 before qualifying for the 1st Dan black belt in 2004 and 2nd Dan the following year. I finally acquired a 3rd Dan black belt in 2007, in Japan.
GC: Tell us more about the grading process in Japan, how is it like having to fight against 30 Japanese fighters in 50 minutes?
SM: It was really torture! But you know what Kyokushin means, the ultimate truth. I had to be tested for my endurance and I am happy that I managed to prove myself.
I lost six kilograms in one day because of the water I kept losing. I was not suppose to drink water during the fight there were only people attending me drying up the sweat and putting some ice on my neck and shoulders. I weighed 76kgs before the fight and it went down to 70 when I was through.
GC: It must really have been tough, so what really gave the inspiration, the strength to go through this grading process?
SM: Well, honestly I do not know. I remember Shihan (Master) Bas Van Stennis repeatedly asking me whether I was ready for grading and I kept telling him I was ready. At that time I did not know I was the only one who was going to be graded at that seminar. Normally it will be a gathering of many karatekas being graded and this means that you will be fighting against each other and at some point, all of you will get tired. It is harder when you are the only being graded and you have to face several fighters in turns.
GC: And what about the mental state when you fight, do you sometimes have to feel angry at the other guy in order to be able to kick and hit them harder?
SM: (Laughs) Well karate is a sport that promotes discipline Grace. When karatekas finish fighting they shake hands or hug, it is a sport. It is just unfortunate some people train for few days to use it back in the streets.
GC: Was there any time you were forced into using your karate skills as a form of self-defense off the dojo?
SM: No. I have not been pushed to that edge, I am just someone who believes there is more power in talking things through than fighting. I have never fought someone outside a karate tournament or training at the dojo.
GC: You have toured Japan several times now, how do they take Karate there?
SM: Mmm.. karate is their life. A kid who turns three starts training karate, it is a culture and a requirement when you wish to be employed in the security forces. It is their number one sport covered by all media organizations, getting space on back pages of newspapers. Their tournaments are held at stadiums like Rufaro. It is just like Taekwondo-do is in Korea or how Kung-fu is in China.
GC: Which fight do you remember with a smile on your face?
SM: It was my first round fight against an Afghan 5th Dan black belt in South Africa, last year. The fight lasted nine minutes and I won and he refused to pause for a photo with me because he felt I had humiliated him. It was a big challenge for me considering he weighed more than me, my elbows got swollen from blocking his kicks while he twisted his ankles. My chicks felt like they were on fire when the fight was over.
GC: Height is an advantage in basketball and volleyball as much as stamina gives advantage to footballers and rugby players. What gives a karateka advantage over the other?
SM: Well in karate it is weight, though people with different weights are not to fight against each other in a categorized tournament. Fighters with heavy weight are less skilled than those who are lighter. Lightweights find it easier to turn and are more skilled.
Factfile
Fullnames: :Samson Muripo
Date of birth: :05/05/1978
Place of birth: :Chimanimani
Dojos: :Mas Oyama Dojo (Headquarters), Hillside, Kuwadzana, Glen View, :Highfield, Budiriro, Chitungwiza.
Belt: :3rd Dan Black