Story by Raynald Ngwarati
THE City Sports Centre in Harare this Saturday roared with spirit and strength as Kyokushin Budokan karatekas from across Harare converged for the inaugural Mayor’s Challenge Cup. The tournament marked a milestone in Zimbabwe’s martial arts calendar.
The Kyokushin Budokan karatekas from different dojos across the capital faced off in the first-ever Mayor’s Challenge Cup with the event drawing over 280 karatekas, who tested their spirit, technique, and endurance across various weight categories and age divisions.
For Kyokushin Budokan authorities, the tournament was a statement of growth and national recognition for Zimbabwean karate.
“We have all the age groups and the genders. The registered participants were 283, though we were anticipating 300; however, that figure in itself is a true reflection of the people’s interest in karate. Already, we are very happy and almost overwhelmed. This is a sign that sport is going somewhere and will put us on the map,” Chairman for Zimbabwe Kyokushin Budokan, Dzidzai Enias Mombo said.
“If they start training at this younger age, once they reach 20 or 30, we will have more Shihans here in Zimbabwe. It was rare to have a Shihan in Zimbabwe, but now we have more than seven, so it is good for our karate,” Secretary General for Kyokushin Budokan, Zimbabwe, Piniel Nzvenga added.
United by the love of karate, karatekas from as young as six years old got the chance to learn skills and techniques from the older generation, at the same time developing their own styles.
