Fireworks expected as 1st Africa Wushu Championships hit second city
The second city will be a rainbow of colours this Saturday as Shaolin Kung-Fu martial artists from across the continent converge on the Francistown Club for the first ever Africa Wushu Championship.
With eight countries in total scheduled to turn-up, the host’s Red Dragon Martial Arts Instructor, Sifu Bethuel ‘Chilito’ Mmoloki has told Voice Sport he expects some of the finest fighters in the region to honor the invitation.
“So far Zambia, Equatorial Guinea, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Malawi have confirmed, and we expect the other two nations to have confirmed by Thursday,” he said.
In total, around 76 athletes are anticipated to take part, showcasing their skills for one of the oldest and most famous styles of wushu.
Kung Fu combines Ch’an philosophy and martial arts and was developed in the Shaolin temple in Henan province, Greater China over 1, 500 years ago.
Sanctioned by the African Kung Fu Confederation, Saturday’s high-flying extravaganza kick-starts what will become an annual event, with member countries taking turns as the host.
“People should make this distinction. We’re not karatekas, but Kung Fu martial artists. We affiliate to Botswana Kung Fu Federation,” explained Mmoloki, a familiar figure on the streets of Francistown, easily recognizable thanks to his distinctive orange robes.
Team Botswana will be made up of athletes from his club Red Dragons, Maun Traditional Martial Arts, Orapa Kung Fu Club and Gaborone Tai Chi.
Confident his troops will put in a good performance at the Championships, Mmoloki told Voice Sport they had prepared thoroughly and were ready to do the nation proud.
“On August 27th we competed at the Cape Town Open Wushu Tournament where we brought back two medals,” he disclosed proudly.
The Instructor revealed his young team of athletes, aged between 8 and 17 years, will return to Cape Town in November for the Africa Youth tournament hosted by MJ-Li Kung Fu Foundation.
The foundation was founded by Muhammad Junaid Chafeker, a five-time Legends of Kung Fu World Martial Arts champion.
Calling for support this weekend, Mmoloki concluded,”I urge Batswana to attend in large numbers to witness their sons and daughters in action.”
Tickets will be on sale at the venue at P20 for kids and P30 for adults.