PRESIDENT Mnangagwa was yesterday honoured with a 5th dan karate black belt as part of a recognition of his contribution to the country’s sport.
His footprint in sport has seen more resource allocation to
the sector with the Government supporting various sporting disciplines since
the coming in of the Second Republic.
This has given local athletes a platform to shine.
This is part of the President’s intuition that as the
country is being configured towards the attainment of an upper middle income
society by 2030, no one should be left behind, hence a deliberate thrust to
support the growth of all sectors.
Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Tanaka Satoshi, witnessed
the recognition bestowed on the President by local karate authorities on behalf
of their international federation.
The team that called on the President at State House
included celebrated and success-laden karateka Shihan Samson Muripo. Shihan
Muripo — a two-time world champion in the full contact category — earned a 5th
dan black belt for his contribution to the game and has a well-documented
success trail in karate with over 20 international honours.
President Mnangagwa said he was happy Zimbabwe has a world
karate champion in Shihan Muripo.
Shihan Samson Muripo displays some of his trophies after
meeting President Mnangagwa at State House yesterday. — Picture: Believe
Nyakudyara.
“He is the first world karate champion to come from
Zimbabwe and this is the pride of Zimbabwe.
“There is a function that is going to come, to be organised
by the Minister of Sport. He will be invited to attend.”
President Mnangagwa said during that function, Shihan
Muripo will be honoured for his exploits together with other local sports
persons who have excelled in their respective disciplines.
Speaking at the same occasion, Ambassador Satoshi said he
was optimistic relations between the two countries can be enhanced through
sport.
“Basically, this was a ceremony to present a gift from the
karate organisation to the President and I have just witnessed.
“Karate is really popular among Zimbabweans, I really hope
that karate will further strengthen the relationship between the people of
Zimbabwe and the people of Japan,” said Ambassador Satoshi.
Zimbabwe and Japan already enjoy excellent bilateral
relations, including those on the trade front.
Shihan Muripo said part of their brief to the President was
on developments that have been happening in the sport.
He said they wanted the President to know what they have
been doing and areas they feel they can be assisted by the Government to help
karate grow in the country.
“We are here to present a gift from Japan to His Excellency
the President,” said Shihan Muripo.
“After Japan tracked my history of scooping medals across
the globe, they said your leaders should know about your achievements, that is
why they gave him a 5th dan black belt, uniform and diploma in karate, in
recognition of the State of Zimbabwe.”
Shihan Muripo also said “the Government should support
outstanding athletes” for the country to dominate sport on the global arena.
Through his successes in karate and his continued
contribution as a trainer, Shihan Muripo ranks as one of the most decorated
Zimbabwean sportspersons together with the likes of Minister Kirsty Coventry, a
decorated Olympian and the late boxers Langton ‘’Schoolboy’’ Tinago and Proud
‘’Kilimanjaro’’ Chinembiri, among others. Herald
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