THE Zimbabwe Karate team found the going tough at the second World Goju Karate Championship held at Stellenbosch University, Cape Town in South Africa as they anchored the medals table with only seven medals.
By Brian Nkiwane
Team Zimbabwe failed in all attempts to get a gold medal, and ended up settling for one silver and six bronze medals in a competition that was attended by 19 countries.
Hosts South Africa topped the medals table after a medal haul of 64; 21 gold medals, 15 silver and 28 bronze.
Germany came second with a total medal haul of 24 medals, four gold, 10 silver and 10 bronze. Australia came third with 19 medals, six gold, three silver and 10 bronze.
The only Zimbabwe silver medal came from the Girls junior team which lost to Germany in the finals.
The four-member team, captained by Unesu Hlahla, Kudzaishe Takaedza, Ashley Khuddu and Elizabeth Banda, beat South Africa convincingly on their way to the finals. The bronze medals came from Winston Nyanhete, who took part in the Under 67kg men category.
He lost in the semi-finals to eventual winner Valerii Stepanchuk of Ukraine.
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Justine Mashiri, who took part in the Under 60kg men, also added another bronze medal losing in the semis to eventual winner, Oleh Ivanchu of Ukraine.
Three more bronze medals came from girls’ categories with Hlahla who took part in the Under 59kg, 16-17yrs (juniors) winning bronze before losing in the semi-final to eventual winner, Sandra Wregers of Germany.
Takaedza took part in the Under 52kg, 16-17yrs (juniors) and won bronze and lost in the semi-finals to eventual winner, Danika Stevens of South Africa.
Ashley Khuddu competed in the Over 54 kg, 14-15yrs (cadets) category and won bronze before losing in the semi-final to eventual winner, Cecilia Strydomof South Africa.
The last bronze came from the men’s team which lost to South Africa but fought their way to a bronze medal in the repêchage elimination bouts, beating Venezuela in the their last match.
The man’s team was made up of Nyanhete (capt), Mashiri, Innocent Chiwoto, Clive Gorekufa and Fortune Nyabanga.
