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Karate champion of champions tournament being held by the International Federation of Karate Kyokushinkai.
Next weekend’s competition will be sponsored by Rose Peters of Petrol Oil Zimbabwe.
The tournament is targeting both junior and senior karatekas.
For the seniors, participants will battle it out in three categories – lightweight, middleweight and the Open – while the juniors will fight for honours in the Under-20kg up to the Under-60kg categories.
One of the organisers, Tawanda Mufundisi, said they were expecting a competitive event.
“This is our first tournament. It’s going to be an eye-opener to our new IFK organisation. We are expecting a tough competition from other organisations.
“We hope to grow and have transparency in the development of karate from grassroots level,” said Mufundisi.
Mufundisi said they are also going to use the tournament to select a team that will compete in the 35th British Open Championships in London next month.
“We were invited by Hanshi Steve Arniel to take part in the event. So we are going to use the event to select the team.
“We have already selected some of the team members and we are hoping to find the remaining fighters through this tournament.
“We have guys from the Kyokushin Union of Zimbabwe, Masvingo, Marondera and Chegutu coming,” said Mufundisi.
Tendayi Mutikani, who is the national coach, said they were hoping to spread their style to other provinces through holding more tournaments.
“There is going to be stiffer competition, especially from fighters from KUZ but we are going to give them a good run. “If this tournament is successful, it will attract people to join our style.
“We want to spread to other provinces. It is also going to be part of our preparations for the British Open Championships,” said Mutikani.
Some of the fighters that are expected to participate in next week’s competition include renowned karateka Samson Muripo. Others are Kelly Mtisi, Lovemore Nyamutswa and the three fighters who are part of the team invited for the British Open Championships – Thomas Chiwomba, Naison Chituwa and Mufundisi.