Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
ZIMBABWE has intensified preparations for the 2026 Africa Open Kickboxing Championship, with local fighters undergoing rigorous training ahead of the continental event scheduled for the end of this month at Allan Wilson School in Harare.
The championship is expected to attract competitors from five countries as Zimbabwe positions itself to host bigger continental tournaments in the future.
National kickboxers are battling for places in Team Zimbabwe, with the technical team expressing confidence in the squad’s readiness ahead of the high-profile competition.
Over the years, Zimbabwean kickboxing has produced respected professionals including Brighton Tangataganga, Wilson Rwafa, Justin Musona, Norman Robin and Bernard Robin, who elevated the country’s reputation on the international stage.
A new generation of fighters is now seeking to continue that legacy under the guidance of coach Denzel Kamangira.
“We are very ready, the team has been working hard, we have good kickboxers in the country and this is the time to start showing it once again. Our last tour we did well, now that we are competing at home, we want to make the country proud,” Kamangira said.
Zimbabwe will also use the Africa Open Championship as a test event ahead of its bid to host the full Continental Championship in the near future.
Zimbabwe Kickboxing Association president, Dr Tony Kamangira, said preparations for the tournament are now at an advanced stage.
“We are ready, almost everything is now in place to make May 30 a very good day. We bid to host the bigger African Championships, however we were given the Open tournament to see how best we can do in hosting major tournaments,” he said.
The Africa Open Kickboxing Championship is expected to provide Zimbabwean fighters with an opportunity to showcase their talent on home soil while strengthening the country’s credentials as a host of major international sporting events.
