LEGENDARY South African karate instructor Shihan Simpiwe Dlulane, popularly known as Shihan Sweeps, is set to grace a three-day seminar hosted by the Kyokushin-Kan Karate Zimbabwe at Harare Showgrounds this weekend.
The seminar, whose objective is to improve the standards of karate in Zimbabwe, kicks off tomorrow and is set to conclude on Sunday at Fitness Planet Gym.
Shihan Sweeps, who is the Kyokushin-Kan lnternational Africa chairperson, will conduct the seminar which will see some of the top karatekas as well as athletes from different Zimbabwe Karate Union affiliates attending.
“We seek to improve the standards of karate in Zimbabwe. This is why we are bringing Shihan Simpiwe, who is well known, well exposed and experienced who is always in Japan learning the art of karate,” Kyokushin-Kan Karate Zimbabwe secretary-general Sempai John Magada said.
Shihan Sweeps, who is also the Kyokushin European and Japanese champion, is expected to jet into the country this morning before conducting the first session of the seminar in the afternoon.
On Saturday, the event will run from 9am to 630pm, while on Sunday it is scheduled to begin at 9am and end at 1230pm.
Established in 2003, Kyokushin-Kan Karate Zimbabwe is affiliated to the Harare Province Karate Union, the Zimbabwe Karate Union and the Kyokushin-Kan International.
There will be 16 organisations that practise Kyokushin Karate, while Zimbabwe Karate Union, Sports and Recreation Commission officials and other senior members will be present at the seminar.
“We were granted clearance from the Harare Province Karate Union by the Zimbabwe Karate Union and it was also approved by the Sport and Recreation Commission,” Magada said.
“Kyokushin-Kan is the mother of all Kyokushin in Zimbabwe. There were management issues which resulted in the formation of all other organisations,
“Kyokushin-Kan was kind of deserted by many people and they started new organisations, but now we are trying to revive the brand and the organisation.”
According to Magada, participating organisations and individuals are expected to be affiliated with the Zimbabwe Karate Union and should present their cards for admission.
