By Onward Gangata
ALMOST a decade after his death, karate legend, Amos Chihlaba will be honored for his contributions to the sport.
Chihlaba passed on in June 2016 in Gweru at the age of 58 after being unwell for some time.
He was one of the sport’s luminaries in the country as an athlete, coach and administrator.
Some of his proteges have come together to organize a tournament in recognition of his contributions to the sport.
Dubbed the Sensei Amos Chihlaba Invitational tournament, the event will be launched in Gweru on Saturday.
Sensei Victor Bunu, one of Chihlaba’s students said the tournament is set to become an annual event.
Bunu added that the idea behind the event is to promote the growth of the sport.
Competitors will be drawn from dojos established by Chihlaba’s former students in the Midlands capital.
“All former students of the late great instructor are meeting to have a tournament,” Bunu said.
“This will mark the beginning of an annual event to celebrate his contribution to the development of the sport.
“Participants will come from Whawha dojo, Mkoba karate center, Woodlands karate center and Gweru karate academy.”
Chihlaba the record breaker
Before venturing into coaching and administration, Chihlaba had an illustrious career as a karateka.
He was the first Zimbabwean karateka to win a gold medal at the Zone 6 competitions in the men’s kata in 1995.
He also won a bronze medal at the All Africa games the same year together with his teammates Bob Sangweni and Bearn Mavhiya.
At the time of his death he was one of the most decorated athletes in Africa with a 5th Dan black belt in Shotokan.
He served the sport in various capacities as Zimbabwe Karate Union (ZKU) president as well as technical director.
But it was his good eye for spotting and developing talent that will probably stand out as part of his legacy.
“Sensei Chihlaba developed karatekas that won several national and international accolades,” added Bunu.
“Names like Elton Marongere, Cassidy Chauke, Frank Muvhakachi, David Dube, Simba Chihlaba, Kuda Chihlaba, Hazel Chirima, Tapiwa Kotsi, Victor Bunu, Peter Mautsi, Micho Rawland Phiri and Sylvester Chipfumbu all came through his hands.”
