IN martial arts, some stories surpass the physical rigours of training, such as Gift Mupondi’s narrative, whose karate journey evolved from unexpected beginnings, weathered a storm of setbacks, and found new heights in coaching.
“My passion for Karate was ignited by the 1995 American fantasy action film Mortal Kombat,” Mupondi reflects. The movie’s acrobatic feats inspired him to delve into acrobatics classes in 1999 under the tutelage of Zimbabwe’s finest acrobat, Francis Fire.
During stretching sessions at the “green-grass” training arena, Mupondi discovered a hidden talent for kicks that he never knew existed.
In 2000, Mupondi faced an unexpected setback when he was injured while performing acrobatics. As a result, his parents withdrew their support.
Mupondi’s karate journey started from Glen View New Hall to Glen View 3 Community Hall involved moving from one dojo to another. Along the way, he had the opportunity to meet influential Senseis such as Brian Chikara, Admire Chingozhoro, Kumbirai Musinami, “Bolo” Lovemore Nyamutswa, Austin Mucheni, and “Daxso” Robson Mucheni.
However, his introduction to Shihan Samson Muripo in 2008 marked a pivotal moment in his karate journey. The same year, he participated in his debut fighting competition, setting the stage for his karate career.
After facing losses in early tournaments, Mupondi decided to work harder and embraced a rigorous training regimen. This included running, weight-lifting, and spending hours practising kihon, kata, and kumite.
However, a serious injury during sparring in 2010 caused him to stop competing and reflect on his approach.
Finally, in 2018, he made a triumphant comeback and was awarded Shodan (1st-degree black belt) by Shihan Simba Mangaba. This marked a turning point in his career.
Beyond medals and trophies, Mupondi considers resilience to be the most significant achievement. He learned to rise every time life delivered a blow and was able to overcome through karate’s teachings, where challenges became stepping stones instead of stumbling blocks.
Mupondi’s transition from an athlete to a coach was a smooth and natural evolution. As a coach, Mupondi’s philosophy is rooted in resilience, adaptability, and embracing failure, all reflecting the profound impact of personal experience. Gift’s coaching philosophy mirrors his journey, embracing failure as a lesson and personal best over the competition. Safety precedes competitiveness, reflecting his realization that “no victory is worth risking one’s well-being.”
“Acceptance is key,” Gift notes, addressing setbacks. Motivating students who face setbacks involves guiding them to accept reality and focusing their efforts on what they can change. The most rewarding aspect of coaching lies in continual learning, understanding different abilities, and witnessing students achieve their personal best.
Mupondi shares his journey, which was sparked by a change in route to network engineering. He found practising karate translated well into the troubleshooting and problem-solving skills required in the engineering profession. Balancing coaching and network engineering demands careful time management, and Mupondi found that the spirit of “Osu” was invaluable in overcoming challenges.
Reflecting on his journey, Mupondi finds solace in the parallels between overcoming career-ending injuries and reshaping dreams. The lesson learned is to stay positive in adversity and embrace the doors that open when others close.
For young athletes who suffer career-ending injuries, Mupondi suggests exploring alternative roles in sports, such as coaching or officiating. Although different, these roles can still provide valuable contributions.
Mupondi aims to become a 3rd-degree black belt holder, establish a gym and dojo in Mutare, and develop a team of skilled fighters from Manicaland.
Mupondi concludes by citing inspirational quotes from Martin Luther King Jr., Booker T. Washington, Albert Einstein, and Eugene Bell Jr. The recurring themes of resilience, individuality, influence, and legacy reinforce Mupondi’s message: “Everybody is a genius. Aspire to inspire before you expire.”
