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Friday, May 15, 2009

SA karate camp hosts Zim athletes


BY GRACE CHIRUMANZU


A total of 165 fighters convened for an annual international kyokushin karate camp, in Stellenbosch, South Africa, last weekend. Three Zimbabwean karatekas took part in the training camp, which also hosted athletes from Zambia and other South African Provinces, which include KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State, Limpopo, Boland, Eastern Cape including Transkei and Border The three were Sensei Tendayi Marange, Tawanda Mufundisi and Sydney Veremu who according to reports in South Africa, performed “exceptionally well.”
According to one of the African karate masters, Shihan Hennie Bosman,karatekas had an opportunity to use such a competitive event to prepare for the World Karate Champs to take place in Hungary, later this year.
“Yes, the world championship is obviously the highlight of each year and we are giving everything in our preparation. Our top fighters such as Siyabonga Tyandela, Barry Gelderblom and Roger Williams have participated previously at the championships.
“They have gained tremendous experience and know what to expect, and they will be up to the task come October,” said Bosman.
Zimbabwean fighters have proved a force to reckon with regionally, in recent years. But lack of sponsorship to global events, which will boost their experience has been their barrier to their success.
Mufundisi and Veremu are full-time instructors at Shihan Hennie Bosman’s Dojo, in South Africa’s port city of Cape Town.

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