20 April 2022

I write to inform you all that the Zimbabwe So-Kyokushin Karate-Do Organization led by Shihan Samson Muripo and his team comprising of Senpai Denford Mutashu (Chairperson Sponsorship Mobilization Committee) Sempai Kudakwashe Mutenda (International Protocol Manager), Sempai Rumbidzai Takawira (Public Relations and Protocols Manager) accompanied by the Japanese Ambassador, H.E Satoshi Tanaka, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Officials myself, Sempai Steven Charandura (President of ZKU), had the Honour to meet with the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe His Excellency Cde E. D. Mnangagwa and presented a special gift to him on Wednesday the 20th of April 2022 at 0800hours at State House.

This gift comes after Shihan Muripo’s successful representation of the country at the the 6th Kyokushin Karate World Cup, Moscow, Russia on October 6th of 2019 (http://karate-worldcup.org/en), where he won Gold. Shihan Muripo was finally called to meet with the President and also present the gift, a meeting that was once mooted in 2019. It was abrupt but nonetheless very successful. In the same light, the Zimbabwe karate Union will thrive to get all its achievements to the highest office in the land.

The President’s Special Gift included the following items ;
5th Dan Black Belt
5th Dan Certificate
Karate Dogi (Uniform)

The gift was presented by Shihan Samson Muripo who has represented the country well and amassed the following international accolades;

INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

  • First African World Karate Champion at the 1st World Cup Open Karate Tournament in Osaka, Japan, June 2009.
  • Best Technical Prize of the 1st World Cup Open Karate Tournament, Osaka, Japan, June 2009.
  • Silver Medalist at the Higashi Nippon International Kyokushin Karate-do Senshukentaikai Open Weight Tournament in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, April 2010.
  • Scooped the Fighting Spirit Award of the 2nd World Cup Open Kyokushinkai Karate Tournament in Astana, Kazakhstan, July 2011.
  • Silver Medalist in the Middleweight category of the 2nd World Cup Open Kyokushinkai Karate Tournament, Astana, Kazakhstan, July 2011.
  • Gold Medalist in the Men’s Open Weight Category of the Southern Africa Kyokushin Union Karate Championships, Thokoza, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa, May 2012.
  • Silver Medalist in the Men’s Open of the 5th Len Barnes Memorial International Karate Tournament, June 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa.
  • Bronze Medalist, Middleweight category of the World Kyokushin Union Karate Championships in Bulgaria 5-6 October 2013.
  • Champion in the Heavyweight Category of the 2013 So-Kyokushin Cup Karate International Tournament in Shanghai, China.
  • Silver Medalist in the Superheavyweight Category of the 2013 So-Kyokushin Cup International Karate Tournament in Shanghai, China.
  • Silver Medalist in the Middle Weight of the 4th IKO Matsushima Group World Karate Tournament in Durban, RSA on the 6th and 7th of September 2014.
  • Bronze Medalist at the 46th All Japan International Karate Tournament in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, April 2015.
  • Gold Medalist of the Men 35 years plus Open Weight in the 3rd So-Kyokushin International Karate Tournament in Ahvaz, Iran, February 2017.
  • Silver Medalist of the Men 23 years plus Open Weight in the 3rd So-Kyokushin International Karate Tournament in Ahvaz, Iran, February 2017.
  • Gold Medalist of the Men 35-40 years Over 75kilograms (Open Weight) in the 4th Ohishi Cup So-Kyokushin International Karate Championships in Ahvaz, Iran, February 28th – the 2nd of March 2018.
  • Silver Medalist of the Men +18 years Kata Competition (Open Weight Division), in the 4th Ohishi Cup So-Kyokushin International Karate Championships in Ahvaz, Iran, February 28th –the 2nd of March 2018.
  • Gold Medalist in the Young Master Kumite Category (36-46 years) Men Open of the 49th All Japan Karate Tournament in Shizuoka City, Japan, 14th and 15th of April 2018.
  • Gold Medalist in the Open Weight Division of the IKOKU International Full Contact Karate Tournament in Cape Town, Republic of South Africa on the 25th of August 2018.
  • Scooped Gold Medal in the Men Over 80kgs Veterans Category (41-45 years) at the 6th Kyokushin Karate World Cup, Moscow, Russia on October 6th of 2019.(http://karate-worldcup.org/en ).

Shihan Samson Muripo’s Timeline(pdf)

The Zimbabwe So-Kyokushin Karate-Do Organization is a full member of the Karate Union of Zimbabwe and the International Karate Organization KYOKUSHINKAIKAN: WORLD SO-KYOKUSHIN and has taken karate sport to all corners of the country with offices/dojo’s in Beitbridge, Mutare, Chegutu, Bulawayo and Harare.