Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Ellina Mhlanga
3 July 2009
Harare — KARATEKA Samson Muripo, the first full contact world karate champion from Africa, attributed his victory at the recent world championships to perseverance and dedication.
Muripo arrived in the country yesterday from Japan where he took part in the world championships.
The karateka made history by becoming the first African to win the title since the first inter- national karate organisation first world championships in 1975.
Muripo said this was a great achievement and is looking forward for more victories in the coming tournaments.
"I could not imagine being at the top as I had to face tough opponents and I had to focus on the first fight because it was the toughest round and I won in the second bout of the fight.
"However, the fourth round was the most difficult as I had to fight a contender who beat a Japanese in the quarter-finals and I had shoulder injuries during that fight but I managed to win.
"It's a great achievement."
Sport and Recreation Commission director- general Charles Nhemachena hailed Muripo's achievement.
"You did us proud and we are very proud of you, you went to Osaka to meet the very best and came out on top.
"You showed what Zimbabwe is made of and you are a jewel in the crown of Zimbabwe," he said.
He also acknowledged the part played by the Kyokushin Union of Zimbabwe and other stakeholders who contributed in making Muripo's trip possible, among them Arosume Properties Development who sponsored the karateka's trip.
Manson Mnaba of Arosume Properties encouraged the corporate world to invest in sport and Muripo's achievement will be a major boost to up-and-coming karatekas.
South African Kyokushin Union chairman Bas van Stenis saluted Muripo's great achievement.
"This amazing achievement is a milestone in karate," he said in a letter addressed to the Sports Commission.
"This is the first time a contestant from Africa has accomplished this remarkable achievement.
"Not even South Africans ever came close to winning a world title from the Japanese.
"That the new World Champion is a Zimbabwean is a great honour for your country and he (Muripo) has truly made Zimbabwe a household name in the Japanese karate world," he said.
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