THE Zimbabwe Kickboxing Association has intensified preparations for the Word Championships set for November by sending fighters to take part in international competitions.
By Brian Nkiwane
Team Zimbabwe, comprising four top fighters: Brighton Tangata (27), Terrence Munemo (21), Nicholas Kurimira (25) and Tafadzwa Muropa (24), was in South Africa last week where they all won medals at the Great North II tournament that was held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Tangata took part in the lightweight category where he won bronze, with Munemo winning silver in the middleweight division. Kurimira won bronze in the light welterweight, with Muropa settling for silver in the bantam- weight category.
Speaking to Standardsport on Friday, the association’s president Tony Kamangira said the association was trying its best to make sure that all the fighters get a chance to fight at grand stages in preparation of the World Championships.
“Everyone knows very well that come November 28, we will be in Turkey for the World Championships. So it is our mandate as the association to make sure that our fighters have enough time to fight at grand stages before the final event,” Kamangira said.
He pencil-slim administrator added that there were a number of international and local tournaments lined up to enable fighters to sharpen their skills.
“We have the Great North III tournament set for next month in South Africa again. We would like to send a bigger contingent this time around if funds permit. After that we are going to have a number of all tournaments which will help us increase the number of fighters that are going to make up the team for the World Championships,” he added.
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However, Kamangira called on the corporate world to assist the sport which has been growing so fast in the region.
“Zimbabwe has been improving very well in the world of kickboxing. The last time grading was done was in 2007 where we were on position nine. But with what we have done so far, we hope to improve on our ranking. Therefore, we call upon the corporate world to give us maximum support,” concluded Kamangira.
