HARARE Three months after Zimbabwes Sensei Samson Muripo made history in global martial arts by becoming the first African to win a world title, four local karatekas brace to fly the national flag high at another world karate tournament in Budapest, Hungary.Experienced fighters Admire Chingozhoro, Mugove Muhambi, Tawanda Mufundisi and Sydney Veremu will take part in the world knockout tournament, the 2nd Kyokushinkan International World Championships set for 0ctober 2-4.
The draw for the martial arts championship was conducted last week with Mufundisi scheduled to fight Hungarys Peto Krisztian in the preliminary round of the mens 70kg and under.
Veremu faces Victor Espinoza in the 80kg preliminary round fight, Muhambi faces Jamshid Mohammad of Iran in the 80kg category while Chingozhoro takes on Englands Thomas William in the highest category, 90kg.
Despite facing fighters from karates founding countries such as Japan, the Zimbabwean representatives will travel to Europe knowing that a championship title is possible to bring to Southern Africa following Muripos achievement in Japan.
The third dan black belt holder in Kyokushinkaikan karate, Muripo, shook off the inferiority complex of being one of the only two black fighters among several fighters in Osaka, to become the first African world champion.
Chingozhoro, Muhambi, Mufundisi and Veremu will leave the country on September 28 seeking to emulate Muripo in the international karate extravaganza.
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News