World Karate Instructor Set to Jet in Today.

WORLD Kofukan-Shito-Ryu karate instructor Shihan Keiji Tomiyama is set to arrive in the country today from Japan for a seven-day visit.

The trip is part of his traditional annual trip around the world, on a mission to train, standardise fighting techniques and kata as well as grading students. All training and upgrading sessions will be at the Belgravia Sports Club in Harare and all provinces are expected to converge in the capital for the event.

According to Zimbabwe Karate Union vice-president Colleta Mhishi, Tomiyana is expected to upgrade various black belt holders. "He is going to upgrade some karatekas among them, Ndabezihle Mazibuko from fourth dan to fifth dan and Tinyiko Halimani and Gerald Muusha will be graded from the second dan up to third dan," said Mhishi.

Mhishi said she was happy with the standard of karate in Zimbabwe. "I'm satisfied with the standards and I'm confident that all those who want to be graded will pass with flying colours.

"I'm convinced that the Shihan will not be disappointed with the karate standards this year," Mhishi said. Kofukan Shito-Ryu is one of the four major styles of karate in Japan and it has over 70 different kata and contributes the most kata for the World Karate Federation competition purposes. Kofukan Shito-Ryu is affiliated to the ZKU and has contributed provincial and national champions and capable administrators such as the late Lucky Munkhondya.

From Zimbabwe, Shihan Tomiyama will proceed to Botswana and South Africa, where he will also standardise technique and upgrade students.

Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media. (allafrica.com)

Source Citation:"World Karate Instructor Set to Jet in Today." The Herald (Harare, Zimbabwe) (July 10, 2009): NA. Academic OneFile. Gale. BROWARD COUNTY LIBRARY. 24 Oct. 2009
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