After winning the men Under-65kg Shorin Kempo Kaikan gold medal over the weekend, Pumulani Maphosa says is now aiming for a world title.

“I am still looking forward to be the world champion, that’s my main aim. I have entered many events before and I also scooped gold last year in this same tournament.

“The secret behind karate basically is training. You have to train hard, train more than you sleep that’s the best way of achieving good goals.

“My target for every tournament is to be the gold medalist, that’s my target,” said Maphosa.

But the 23-year-old knows it is not going to be an easy task, saying his recent achievement in the regional full-contact style in South Africa did not come on a silver platter as well.

“The competition wasn’t an easy road, it was a tough event. We had many participants from different countries especially from South Africa and they dominated. But we managed to scoop some medals in some categories. And I scooped a gold medal, it was a very tough.

“I fought many fighters to be the successor, so I am still aiming for the best. We still have some tournaments ahead of us, the All-Africa in August, even some in Japan,” said the 23-year-old.

Zimbabwe got six medals with the other five coming from Brian Chiringa, Tangayi Mhlanga, Shadreck Chigombe, Kazembe and Sharleen Amoda.

Precious Kazembe who got bronze in the women’s lightweight category at the same event when she came fourth following a play-off feels she can better her performance.

 “It was very tough but I tried my best. This was my first time and I came fourth which was good for me.

“I learnt a lot from the tournament and for me to be a champion I need to train a lot,” said Kazembe.