SD KARATEKAS ARE STANLIB CHAMP OF CHAMPS 2015

Centre referee Sensei Mandla Mdluli blocks Zimbabwe’s tough Trevor Gorah as he hit his Swazi rival Best Mhlanga to the ground. Mhlanga won the fight on weight difference after they were tied twice. (Pics:Chris Dlamini)

MBABANE – Forget that the tournament was joined by the world renowned Zimbabweans, Swaziland still came first position in the Stanlib International Champ of Champs Kyokushin Tournament over the weekend.

The country came tops after its 99 karatekas put up a brave performance to match the tough-as-steel Zimbabweans and resilient South Africans who hate losing to their Swazi counterparts often times. Most of the team’s players made it to the last 16 which increased their chances of winning silverware in the end.

When the results were announced, Swaziland were the champions after scooping 15 trophies, South Africa came second with six trophies while Zimbabwe finished third with three trophies. Their feared world champion Samson Muripo did not participate though as he came only as head of delegation.

Oyama Kyokushinkaikan Karate Association of Swaziland (OKKAS) Public Relations Officer (PRO) Sensei Mzwandile Ngwenya said this was the greatest Stanlib tournament they have ever hosted and thanked his team for its wonderful performance. “Congratulations to Swaziland for ensuring we came out tops here and took most of the silverware. This is good for us as we prepare for Japan next year when they host the World Cup. We also thank our friends, South Africa and Zimbabwe, for being part of us as we all learned a lot from each other,” he said.

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