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International Federation of Karate (Kyokushinkai) British Open at the beginning of next month.
The 35th IFK (Kyokushinkai) British Open is set to be held on October 1 and 2 in Sussex, England, and Zimbabwe are looking at sending four male karatekas for this tournament which also incorporates the European Championship.

And three top local karatekas – Tawanda Mufundisi, Naison Chituwa and Thomas Chiomba – have already been picked for this two-day event.
Mufundisi, Chituwa and Chiomba were selected at the end of the inaugural IFK Kyokushinkai Tournament, which was successfully staged at Rutendo Hall in Harare’s high-density suburb of Mufakose on Saturday.

A total of 150 fighters from 10 local karate styles took part in this one-day event which was organised by two of the country’s top kyokushinkai instructors – Mufundisi and Tendayi Mutikani. Mutikani said last Saturday’s tournament gave them the opportunity of identifying and picking karatekas for next month’s big international event in England.

“At the end of the tournament on Saturday we first came up with three names – Tawanda Mufundisi, Naison Chituwa and Thomas Chiomba – and we are still looking for the fourth karateka who is likely to come from another full contact style,” Mutikani said.
He said Zimbabwe has actually been asked to send four fighters and two officials at the 35th IFK (Kyokushinkai) British Open and they need to raise US$20 000 for the trip. “We are looking at raising

US$20 000, which will cater for the delegation’s air fares, food, accommodation and participation fees at the British Open.”
Mutikani said at the British Open, Mufundisi , Chituwa and Chiomba will fight in the lightweight, heavyweight and middleweight division respectively. Mufundisi and Chituwa stepped up their preparations for this event when they took part in the first IFK Kyokushinkai Tournament at Rutendo Hall on Saturday where they came out tops in the men’s lightweight (Under-70kg) and over 80kg competitions respectively.

In the lightweight section, Mufundisi walked away with a gold medal after beating Austin Mucheni and Brian Kupara into second and third places. Chituwa, on the other hand, emerged as the top fighter in the over 80kg category ahead of Brian Chiringa and Hendrix Magenga.
And this means that Chituwa of the IFK dojo in Kambuzuma is the new national full contact heavyweight champion.

The middleweight title went to Malvern Chomusoro while Clemence Kampira and Sydney Muzongola came second and third.
Saturday’s event was sponsored by Rose Peters’ Paroan Enterprises (Petrol Oil Zimbabwe), sports gear company Perspective, Aldona Mineral Water and several businessmen from Harare’s high-density suburb of Kambuzuma.

“We would like to thank our sponsors, especially Rose Peters of Paroan Enterprises (Petrol Oil Zimbabwe) and Mr. Mussa of Perspective, for making Saturday’s tournament a resounding success,” Mufundisi said.

In fact, Rose Peters of Petrol Oil Zimbabwe has of late been behind the revival of karate in this country, bankrolling a number of tournaments organised by local styles such as Jairos Manjoro’s binoryu and kyokushinkai.

She is also the patron of the Binoryu Karate Association of Zimbabwe.
First IFK Kyokushinkai
Tournament Full Results
Men over 80kg (heavyweight): 1. Naison Chituwa, 2. Brian Chiringa, 3. Hendrix Magenga.

Men Under-80kg (middleweight): 1. Malvern Chomusoro, 2. Clemence Kampira, 3. Sydney Muzongola.
Men Under-70kg (lightweight): 1. Tawanda Mufundisi, 2. Austin Mucheni, 3. Brian Kupara.

Boys Under-60kg: 1. Lovejoy Mudhokwani, 2. Collen Mutemeri, 3. Luckmore Kandawasvika.

Boys Under-55kg: 1. Phumulani Maphosa, 2. Sly Karidzamimba, 3. Tinashe Matika.

Boys Under-45kg: 1. Tawanda Chimbade, 2. Lesley Mukuma, 3. Marshal Muzora.

Boys Under-35kg: 1. Shelvin Mugoni, 2. Patrick Musungo, 3. Shelton Mugoni.
Boys Under-30kg: 1. Leo Murakati, 2. Simba Mufema, 3. Kudakwashe Denga.

Boys Under-20kg: 1. Tapiwa Mahove, 2. Tanatswa Charandura, 3. Tinashe Ndoro.

Girls Under-10 years: 1. Ashleen Chuwe.
Girls Under-12 years: 1. Ashley Chuwe.