ZIMBABWE’S top So Kyokushin karateka Samson Muripo came fourth at the 46th All-Japan Karate Senshuken Taikai championships that were held on April 18 to 19 at Shizuoka City.
BY GRACE CHIRANGANDE
Sensei Kumbirai Musimani said he was pleased with the karatekas’ performance. “Samson Muripo did well as he came fourth. Lovemore Nyamutswa was sixth, Admire Chingozhoro seventh and Naison Chituwa lost in the last 16. All in all we brought three trophies from Japan,” Musimani said.
“I think the Zimbabwe representatives did exceptionally well considering the fact that Japan has always been dominating in this competition since it started years back.
Zimbabwe is the only country with at least three fighters in the top 10 while the rest are from Japan and this is good,” he said.
“We expect the karatekas to be back in the country by Thursday (tomorrow) and now we are arranging for our karateka Tangai Mhlanga’s air ticket as he is going to Russia today (yesterday),” Musimani said. Mhlanga will represent Africa at the World Fighting Kyokushin Tournament in Russia at Chaykovsky city on April 24 to 26.