IT is easy to associate with a person’s success while forgetting the ingredients they put in to reach the top.
From humble beginnings, the story of Samson Muripo, as told in the eyes of Yakontent, deserves a place in the high echelons of history.
Born in Chimanimani District, East of capital Harare, it was rare to imagine that a fine talent would emerge from this remote rural area. It took determined and stubborn faith from Muripo, now a Shihan, to know what he wanted and follow it through despite odds highly stacked against him.
“When I was growing up, I liked things that had something to do with fighting; that was my hobby. I would love it when people were fighting, and I would go there and watch with passion. I began my karate journey in 1993 at Ndima Secondary School in Chimanimani,” Muripo said in the four-part mini docuseries that premiered on Yakontent brought to you by First Mutual Holdings Limited (FMHL).
“In High School, karate was introduced by one of my teachers, the late Mr Munyoro, and that is where my talent was brought to the fore. I practised karate in High School for three years and then made a pronouncement that I would migrate to a better school and pursue karate at a higher level.”
As destiny would have it, Muripo’s elder brother Gift facilitated his move to Harare to follow his dream. In Harare, the So-Kyokushin Chief Karate and Development Ambassador traces his roots and solid foundation that has seen him sit on top of the world.
“I enrolled at Body Fitness Centre under Sensei Tendai Marange. As I trained, I started seeing people winning medals and that inspired me even more,” recalls Muripo.
Female karateka and trainer Sempai Juliet Machoba said karate is not recognised in the country.
“Karate is a discipline that is not well respected and promoted across the sporting culture in the country. It is viewed as a sport for the poor,” she said.
His crowning moment arrived in 2001. He entered his first professional bout and encountered a senior opponent at a karate tournament staged at Mufakose’s Rutendo Hall after a series of draws.
“I was swollen and in very bad shape. My sisters requested that I quit karate because it was a dangerous game, evidenced by my swollen face. Sensei Sam Gara was the referee in this match which was my first fight at a professional level,” said Muripo.
Sensei Sam Gara remembers this bout vividly.
“It was one of the most interesting bouts that I have officiated up to now. I have never come across such a bout. He was so relaxed and funny- laughing when his opponent was using a wrong technique that is not allowed when fighting. I ended up not penalising the opponent because he found it funny and never took it seriously. I saw a greater fighter in him in that bout,” said Sensei Gara.
After his first victory in 2001, Shihan Muripo became a karate addict, training under Sensei Tendai Marange, doing both administration and conducting classes.
“In the morning, he took lessons every afternoon he took lessons, every evening he took lessons, and that’s why he grew because of his training, he got conditioned whereby he was actually strong mentally,” Sensei Marange said.
The 4 part docuseries, which was brought to you by First Mutual Holdings Limited (FMHL), who believe in helping people go beyond, can be found on the Yakontent website.
