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Africa has created history by producing her FIRST EVER FULL CONTACT WORLD KARATE CHAMPION! Sensei SAMSON MURIPO from Zimbabwe, made history by becoming the first ever African to reach the highest achievement possible in world full contact karate. On Sunday 28th June 2009, Sensei Samson Muripo was crowned middle weight world champion at the 1st World Cup Open Karate Tournament sponsored by the ALL JAPAN KYOKUSHIN UNION, in Osaka, Japan.
Never before has Africa produced a world champion in the toughest form of karate, Kyokushin Karate. Africa and Zimbabwe can be truly proud of its son Sensei Samson Muripo. To grasp the significance of his achievement, one has to understand that since the first International Karate Organisation Kyokushinkaikan 1st World Karate Tournament in Tokyo, 1975 Africa has never produced a world champion until now! Sosai Masutasu Oyama, founder of IKO Kyokushinkaikan Karate, would have been proud of our fantastic accomplishment.
World Middle Weight Champion Sensei Samson Muripo,
2nd Place Kikuyama Yasumichi Japan, 3rd Place Daniel Fox Australia
When Sosai was in South Africa in 1980, he said that Africa was capable of producing a world champion, but it has taken 29 years to reach this pinnacle. A major contribution to Sensei Samson accomplishment is the guidance of Shihan Bas van Stenis from South Africa and the encouragement from Shihan Daigo Ohishi from Japan, who saw the potential in Sensei Samson and played an important part in his triumph.
In the first round Sensei Samson came up against the Spanish champion Alberto Santamaria. A very difficult opening bout, which required an extension of two minutes for Samson to obtain an unanimous decision. In the 2nd round he faced Degeniyazov Nurken from Kazakhstan who provided to be a tough opponent, but Sensei again won by an unanimous decision. The 3rd round was against the German Herman Laschak, who Sensei Samson defeated with a waza-ari. The semi final would prove to be the toughest fight for Samson in the tournament. His opponent was Daniel Fox from Australia, who after Samson was probably the 2nd best technical fighter in the tournament. It took two extensions, (a total of 7 minutes) for Samson to reach the final, with again an unanimous decision. The final against the Japanese champion Kikuyama Yasumichi was decided within the three minutes, with Samson dominating from the start. Two judges gave draws and two akas in Samsons favour. The referee Shihan Koi had no hesitation in awarding the bout to Samson, much to the delight of the spectators and so history was created!
I, Bas van Stenis and the South Africa Kyokushin Union Salute you Sensei SAMSON MURIPO. I am proud to be your Shihan.
Shihan Daigo Ohishi left and Shihan Bas van Stenis with Sensei Samson Muripo, who also received the best technical fighter award
FURTHER SUCCESS FOR OUR TEAM:
Sempai from Gauteng MURENDI RAMUTHAGA and a student from Shihan Stephen Helm achieved a magnificent 3rd place in the girls Junior 18 years division She defeated the Australian girl Nikita Denkewitz in the 3rd and 4th place play off. Well done on your first international tournament.
Both Sensei Thulane Sibisi and Sensei Charmaine Abrahams made impressive first time international appearances with Sensei Charmaine from Cape Town being awarded with a technical achievement award.
HONOURS FOR SHIHAN BAS VAN STENIS
The Board of the All Japan Kyokushin Union awarded me my 7th Dan in recognition of my services to promote our organisation, The All Japan Kyokushin Union, as well as for my years of loyalty to Kyokushin Karate I am humbled, but at the same time delighted and honoured to receive this promotion after 43 years of practising Kyokushin Karate. I hope that I will be able to continue for many years to spread the message of Sosai Masutatsu Oyama and reach out to the less privilege, specially our children in South Africa. THANK YOU : ALL JAPAN KYOKUSHIN UNION.
Shihan Bas van Stenis receiving his Nanadan (7th Dan) from Shihan Kazuyuki Hasegawa |
