Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Ellina Mhlanga
1 July 2009
Harare — KARATEKA Samson Muripo carved his name into the small elite club of the greatest athletes in the history of Zimbabwean sport, when he became the nation's first black world champion, following a remarkable performance at the Kyokushin Union World Cup in Japan on Sunday.
The 31-year-old Muripo buried himself in glory -- joining such national sporting heroes like legendary diver Evan Stewart, super swimmer Kirsty Coventry and golfer Nick Price -- by turning himself into a world champion in his chosen sport.
Muripo becomes the first Zimbabwean world champion, in any karate style, and the first black member of that elite group of local athletes who have managed to turn themselves into the best, on the global stage, in their discipline.
He is a third Dan black belt holder.
Retired diver Stewart was the first Zimbabwean sportsperson to be crowned a world champion when he won a gold medal in the one-metre event at the 1994 World Championships in Rome, Italy.
He also became the first African world champion in diving.
Golfing legend Price won three major titles, including the British Open in 1994, during a golden spell in which he also captured the 1992 and 1994 PGA Championships and was ranked the number one golfer in the world.
Local swimming icon Coventry is currently a world and an Olympic champion after making ripples in the pool since she burst into the global limelight as an unknown package, that rocked the globe, at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
Now, to that list of Zimbabwean world champions, please enter the name Samson Muripo.
The Zimbabwean sensei took the inaugural Kyokushin Union World Cup by storm in the Japanese city of Osaka on Sunday by powering his way to a priceless gold medal in the middleweight division.
Muripo is the technical director of the Mas Oyama Dojo club at Harare's Raylton Sports Club and he beat five other karatekas on his way to winning the world championship.
The chairman of the Kyokushin Union of Zimbabwe, Steven Charandura, revealed yesterday that Muripo struck gold in Japan.
"I have two awards," an ecstatic Muripo told The Herald yesterday.
"The best technical prize, which comes with a certificate, and the Champions certificate which comes with a trophy that is chest high.
"I could not believe it."
Muripo, who is also the African middleweight champion, beat Alberto Santamaria of Spain in the first round.
He then knocked out Degeniyazov Nurken of Kazakhstan in the next round to proceed to the quarter-finals.
In the quarter-finals, he beat Herman Laschak of Germany and suddenly he was just two steps away from heaven.
Australian karateka Daniel Fox was the next victim, falling in the semi-finals, to give Muripo the ticket into the final.
There he met local boy Kikuyama Yasumichi of Japan and, once again, Muripo won the bout to capture the gold medal in the middleweight division.
Charandura said this was a great achievement, not only for Muripo, but for karate and sport in Zimbabwe and Africa.
"We are proud that we are the World Champions and this is the first time in history for an African to win the World Championships.
"Muripo has done us proud considering that he beat Kikuyama of Japan where the style of kyokushin originated. It's a great achievement.
"This is glory for the nation and honour for the African continent and it's a sign of perseverance, dedication and hard work," he said.
Muripo's sensational triumph completes a remarkable year for the master karateka who produced the outstanding performance at the South African National Championships in September last year.
He won his category, to become the South African championship, with a performance that was rich in quality it was hailed by the experts.
He also won the International Ashihara tournament by beating Afghanistan champion Wahid Ahmed in a thrilling final of the open division category.
Most Kyokushin tournaments follow knockdown karate rules in which points are awarded for knocking one's opponent to the floor with kicks, punches or sweeps.
It is a style of stand-up, full contact karate founded in 1964 by Masutatsu Oyama and its name is derived from the Japanese phrase, "the society of the ultimate truth."
The James Bond movie "You Only Live Twice," starring Sean Connery, was shot largely in Japan and featured a demonstration by a number of kyokushin students.
It has international appeal, with the number of karatekas practising the style estimated at more than 12 million around the world, and was founded in 1964 by Masutatsu Oyama.
Kyokushin is known as the toughest style of karate.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe will send a team of 80 karatekas for the Zone Six Championships scheduled for Botswana from July 1 to 4.
The Zimbabwe Karate Union marketing executive, Simba Chikutu, said they expect to reap scores of medals at the championships.
"The juniors are quite strong compared to the seniors and we are looking forward to collecting more medals in the juniors' category," he said.
Some of karatekas in the team include Joel Mazenge, Justin Mashiri, David Dube, Simba Chihlaba and Winston Nyanhete.
The juniors' team feature a host of up-and-coming stars including Billy Mukucha, Alexander Hickey, Bravo Bvunzawabaya and Nyasha Kumire.
Biron Ndiripo, Simbarashe Chikutu, Amos Chihlaba, Ndabezinle Mazibuko and Innocent Bizeleli will take part in a referees'clinic.
The karatekas are going to cater for all their expenses during the tournament, including accommodation and food, and the cash-strapped association is battling to raise enough money for the trip.
Five countries are expected to take part in the tournament that also features South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia.
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