WORLD CUP GLORY IS OUR TARGET – SHIHAN VILAKATI

MBABANE – Oyama Kyokushinkaikan Karate is certainly edging closer to hoisting the country’s flag at the World Cup stage.

A top eight finish for several artists has been the best finish in the previous two world cup events but now, ahead of Spain, who host the Oyama Kyokushinkaikan World Cup in November, the feeling is that silverware was possible.
“The standard is so high in the country and continues to grow. The latest achievements from South Africa’s Shihan Sabela Memorial Tournament are a result of sacrifices in preparations. Our goal is bring back silverware from the World Cup in Spain,” Oyama Association President Shihan Mfanafuthi Vilakati said.

He was talking about to the tough Open weight division win by former Mr Swaziland Linda Dlamini who is a Black belt and the two other winners in Under-80kg and Ladies Open division.
“The open division is the one in any tournament. Winning it mean the country’s Oyama is on the right track. Investing in international events exposure is beginning to pay off,” he said.

He also added that it was interesting that all three winners in the recent tournament held in Kwa-Zulu Natal had last year represented the country in Japan and did not perform badly. The other winners in KZN are Sensei Jabulani Hlatjwako of the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF) and Joy Ononogbu who came fourth and third in the under-80kg and ladies open, respectively.

Oyama is currently preparing to attend a Gauteng tournament aimed at seeing the southern Africa region present a strong squad in the World Cup. The Gauteng tournament is billed for September 9.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: