Meshack Khotha

Meshack Khotha

Combatants will use the Shin Kyokushinkai Open National Tournament scheduled for GaRankuwa on Saturday to sharpen their claws ahead of the World Karate competition in Tokyo in October.

The yearly tournament, which will be held at Medunsa, is expected to be of a high standard because nine provinces will be represented at the event.

Shihan Isaac "African Tiger'' Mashinini said Swaziland had confirmed that they will send a formidable team to Saturday's tournament.

Local fighters will leave no stone unturned to impress the panel of judges who will be finalising the national squad to represent South Africa in Tokyo.

Mashinini said fighters would use the national event as a warm-up after being out of action for some time. On the other hand, it will give the selectors ample time to check the fighters' fitness and fighting techniques.

The tournament will feature the junior and senior section in both women's and men's categories.

Mashinini has urged the communities of GaRankuwa, Mabopane, Hammanskraal Soshanguve and Heilbron to come in big numbers to watch karate at it best.

Three-time winner Zonke Mthethwa from KwaZulu-Natal is expected to make it four in a row in the women's open section.