Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
A fifteen member Zimbabwe Karate team is set to represent the country at the Second So-kyokushin World Karate Championships in Japan next month.
The team is not leaving anything to chance after holding a fundraising marathon event in Harare this Saturday.
The championship is set from the 25th to the 27th of November.
It is the first time the country will be represented by such a big delegation at a World Karate tournament.
The team is not taking anything for granted after hosting a fundraising 10km marathon and a Zumba session to physically prepare the athletes.
“So, this was not just about marathon and Zumba but we are also standing in solidarity with breast cancer survivors. we are not leaving in a vaccum, so we as Karatekas alps joined the cause as we prepare for the world tournament,” said media liason officer, Senpai Rumbidzai Takawira.
Veteran Karateka, Sensei Likhwa Khumalo is ready for the tournament, This is a world cup, the last stage of the competition, just like in soccer the world cup is the pinnacle so as a team we have really prepared well since January and we feel confident with the work we have put in.
While the technical side of the team is ready there are still concerns on the administrative side.
“Training wise, we have done our best but we still struggling financially. We have 15 athletes competing and each of them needs at least USD3 600 to participate then we also have technical members as well so we really need a big financial support,” noted team manager, Senpai Evans Mutsahuni.
Apart from the 15 athletes who are competing, there are also three Zimbabwean referees who will be officiating at the tournament led by Kumbirai Musunami, Muchineripi Tarweyi and Robson Mucheni.
The 2nd So-kyokushin World karate championships will be the last professional event for two time World Champion Shihan Samson Muripo before he retires.
