AS they say, we are a product of other people's efforts and no man operates in a vacuum, legendary Zimbabwe karateka, Shihan Samson Muripo appears to be reading from that same script.
With two world karate titles under his belt, Muripo could have chosen to be arrogant and beat his own drum after he reached for the stars not once, but twice.
However, the recently graded 6th dan humble kareta who called time on his competing days to take up administration full time took time to remember his roots, all the baby steps acknowledging the people who awakened the warrior in him.
"Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the president of the International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan: World So-kyokushin- Hanshi Daigo "Yoto Muramasa" Oishi for grooming the giant that was lying in me, from the day I first interacted with him in 2006 to date," Muripo told The Sports Hub.
"He modified my kyokushin karate skills mentally, spiritually and physically hence I became an unstoppable full contact karate champion. In a nutshell, he gave me kyokushin karate love. He turned out to be my kyokushin karate living father, by the way he treats me, to this day."
Muripo's story of hope, endless possibilities, perseverance, determination and hard work did not end with his chance of a lifetime encounter with Daigo.
"Secondly, the living Africa kyokushin living legend - Hanshi Bastiaan Lindert van Stenis who is based in Cape Town, for his unwavering guidance and support throughout since 2003 to date," he said.
"He is the continental kyokushin karate kather to many karatekas, and most outstandingly, the revered pioneer of Zimbabwe kyokushin karate. I wish him many more years of good health and prosperity."
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The journey of faith all began in Chimanimani at Ndima High School where Muripo took up karate, which started off as a hobby and culminated into an illustrious career. His first professional fight came in 2001 at Mufakose's Rutendo Hall.
"I would like to thank our own local father of many – Shihan Tendayi Marange for his total commitment in developing kyokushin karate in Zimbabwe under the regional guidance of Hanshi Ken, Hanshi Bastiaan and Hanshin Bosman. His grassroots development skills, devotion and determination for Kyokushin Karate growth is unparalleled.
"Not forgetting Senpai Givemore Sambadzi for the sponsorship he rendered towards my maiden trips to Japan between 2005 and 2008. He is one gentleman that supported my dreams of going to Japan for a longer Uchideshi training programme under Hanshi Daigo Oishi, one of the right hand men of Sosai Masutatsu Oyama (founder of kyokushin karate 1923 - 1994). He really played a pivotal role that made me extremely an outstanding athlete during my winning days to date, above my peers.
"Such assistance and support should be appreciated now and forever. I had my deep-low days in 2005 after my first trip to Moscow, Russia to an extent of even wanting to call it quits from karate but Sempai Stephen Charandura stood by me, being my pillar of strength and a brother, and has never stopped stepping in whenever situations go haywire, the traits that made him Zimbabwe Karate Union - secretary-general and its president, respectively. He has been a brother to me since around 1998,” Muripo added.
He also paid tribute to Doctor Manson Mnaba who sponsored his trip to the 2009 World Cup Kyokushin Karate Tournament in Osaka, Japan, and became the first black person to scoop the World Championship title.
Muripo was honoured by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in April last year for his outstanding achievements in the martial arts discipline.
"My last world karate tournament participation on the 26th of November, 2023 in Japan at Grandship Shizuoka, couldn't have been a success without the support I got from Engineer Martin Manuhwa – our patron, Sempai David Mutemachani, the executive of Zimbabwe So-Kyokushin Karate-Do Organisation, karatekas and our friends who came on board and made the trip possible.
"I hope for the best, and wish the new generation of Karatekas the best as they continue with the baton, representing our great nation Zimbabwe with distinction," he said.
