World So-Kyokushin karate master, Shihan Jiyuu Shibata, from Japan is expected in the country tonight for the upcoming 1^stAll Africa Championships the country is set to hosts at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex on Saturday.

The tournament will attract more than 200 fighters from the hosts, South Africa, Malawi and Swaziland who will fight for honors in various categories that include Ladies and Men Open.

Shihan Shibata will be in Zimbabwe representing Shihan Daigo Ohishi who is the international head for the So-Kyokushin karate style. He will be deliberating events together with South African master, Shihan Bas van Stenis at the prestigious showdown that will be officially opened by the Deputy Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga.

Saiko Sensei Samson Muripo who is set to be their subordinate in the deliberation committee of the showdown told SportsZone the visit by Shihan Shibata who is coming to Zimbabwe for the second time gives the tournament great magnitude.

“We are excited and honored to be hosting such a big event and having Shihan Shibata present, his presence to us means a lot as he represents Shihan Daigo Ohishi,” he said.

“I have met very talented and determined young fighters from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Swaziland, Zambia and Namibia who have left me with no doubt that I will certainly not be the first and last African to be World Champion. I believe this tournament will be a big highlight of the future of Africa.