ZIMBABWE’S finest karateka, Shihan Samson Muripo, has opened up on his final bout in Shizuoka, Japan, recently.
The two-time Karate World Champion was disappointed by decisions made by the host referees.
“I can’t say I lost, but the sport lost through worrying decisions by the referees from the hosts,” Muripo told NewsDay Sport.
Despite the disappointment, he has accepted the outcome and moved on.
Reflecting on his illustrious career, Muripo acknowledged the inevitable highs and lows that come with being a competitive athlete.
“There is time for everything under the sun,” he mused.
“Time to be celebrated, experiencing the exhilaration of victory, and also the feeling of a loss, but altogether I had a great competitive sporting journey mixed with all kinds of experiences.”
The karate master’s resilience shone through as he gracefully embraced the different facets of his journey. Unfazed by the outcome of his last bout, Muripo now sets his sights on shaping the future of combat sports, embarking on a mission to spearhead its growth and development.
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“The sporting sector, especially the combat unity, should brace up for tremendous growth through my offer to its expansion across the country till the end of my days,” he said.
His commitment to the sport is extraordinary, as he envisions leaving a lasting impact on the karate arena.
Muripo is saying goodbye to the competitive arena, but he has big plans for his legacy beyond his active fighting days.
The 45-year-old karate master wants to revolutionise karate and ensure its continued growth after retirement.
“Victory is sweet, and Kumite is romantic,” he said.
“Thus, in a nutshell, I would say that my best moments in karate involved both.”
His profound words beautifully capture the passion and dedication that fuelled his remarkable career, leaving a lasting impression on the canvas of martial arts.
Muripo has established himself as a karate legend, inspiring future generations to follow in his footsteps through his dedication to the sport.
His recent visit to Shizioka saw him graduate to 6th Dan, while his lieutenants, George Mutambu and Likhwa Khumalo also graded 5th Dan.
David Agadzhanyan from Armenia and Hugo Perez from Canada, also graded from 5th to 6th Dan during the grading event that saw a total of 39 karatekas being uplifted.
Three athletes graded from 5th Dan to 6th Dan, nine from 4th Dan to 5th Dan, another nine graded from 3rd Dan to 4th Dan while one moved from 2nd Dan to 3rd Dan.
At least eight graded from 1st Kyu Dan to 2nd Dan, eight from Kyu (Brown Belt) to 1st Dan while one athlete moved from 3rd Kyu (Green Belt) to Brown Belt (2nd Kyu).
