MBABANE – The Ubombo Sugar Karate team, in partnership with the Shin Kyokushin Karate Association, will host a major international tournament this Saturday.
The event is set to take place at the Mayaluka Community Hall in Big Bend, running from 10am until late. Sensei Themba Dlamini, a senior instructor within the association, has issued a rallying cry to the martial arts community, urging all local karate styles to arrive fully prepared for the high-level competition.
“We have already confirmed international competitors travelling from as far as Zimbabwe, Botswana, Angola, the DR Congo and South Africa, with four South African provinces having already secured and paid for their accommodation,” Dlamini said.
“Locally, we are expecting a strong turnout across the board, including representatives from Oyama Karate, Ashihara Karate, the Japanese Karate Association, Sosai Karate, taekwondo and the karate union, alongside our own athletes.”
Adding significant prestige to the tournament, Shihan Isaac ‘The African Tiger’ Mashinini, who is the African representative to the World Karate Organisation in Japan and a senior technical advisor, will attend the event. Mashinini is travelling from South Africa with at least four personal guests. He will lead a team of 16 officials tasked with ensuring the smooth running of the competition.
“Shihan Mashinini will personally conduct a referees’ seminar ahead of the tournament, with local seniors from various styles present to officiate,” Dlamini added. “We are also expecting a company representative to formally welcome our guests and open the event.”
All Shin Kyokushin dojos across the country have been urged to attend. Shin Kyokushin Eswatini operates under the leadership of black belt Fifth Dan holder Shihan Musa Simelane. Spectator entry to the day’s festivities is priced at E10 for adults, while children under the age of 12 will be charged half price.
Shihan Isaac ‘The African Tiger’ Mashinini. (Courtesy pic)