The Sunday Mail
Tangai Mhlanga is known in the dusty streets of Highfield as a builder whose normal routine is mixing different types of sand with water to mould bricks.
But last Saturday the 25-year-old traded the shovel and overalls for the karate garb at the first African-World Kyokushinkai Organisation full contact tournament.
Mhlanga had to pass through eight tough opponents in the contest on his way to collecting the coveted middleweight belt.
For someone people in his area are used to seeing wearing overalls or tying a bath towel around his waist as he goes about his duties, seeing this builder standing on the podium in South Africa was a huge surprise.
“Ndiri dhaka boy,” Mhlanga says about himself as he refers to his building profession.
“My brother is the one who does most of the work, but I come in to help here and there. Because of that, most people who know me doing this in New Canaan were surprised as sometimes people think in karate you should walk around assaulting people in the suburb or give your parents a hard time at home,” said Mhlanga, who comes from a family of seven.
While no one could hardly notice a builder going about his business, Mhlanga’s exploits in South Africa drew the attention of the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture.
The Chipinge-born fighter found himself and second runner-up Shadreck Chigombe being hosted by Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga at her offices last week.
You would think a karateka of such a tough disposition has no fear of his opponents, but even Mhlanga has a bad way of dealing with his anxiety.
“When I anticipate such kind of fights before I get in the ring, I begin to have stomach upsets which end up being diarrhoeal. I visit the toilet endless times. So, on this trip I had the same experience. Anxiety gets the better of me.
“I hope when I travel to Russia I would have adjusted to such anxiety,” chuckled Mhlanga.
While it was his first time to win a title of such a magnitude, it was also Mhlanga’s first time to be outside Zimbabwe.
“I couldn’t travel before because I hadn’t processed my passport yet. So, since this was my first time to travel beyond this country I just had a feeling of fear. But I’m grateful to Sensei (Samson) Muripo for what he did for us, and paying all the expenses for this trip.
“It was a tough experience because I travelled for 24 hours by bus and went straight into the ring with eight tough opponents. I was tired, hungry and added to that I was just filled with fear,”added Mhlanga, who had to make do with a meal of chicken and chips on his way to South Africa.
Having been in karate for six years, Mhlanga has for half of that period been coached by Muripo, a former world champion himself.
Though he had been a fan since he was young, Mhlanga began to take karate seriously at the age of 19.
And to him working under Muripo was an indicator that he would one day win a prestigious title like his mentor.
“Well, they say like father like son. I knew that as long as I trained under Sensei Muripo I would one day get it,” said Mhlanga.
For someone who had been limited to travelling locally, Mhlanga is now anticipating to cross many borders, starting with Russia in April. And above it conquer the world without having to worry about footing the expenses.
“I have started preparations to go to Russia. I spend most of my time, if not all of it, in the dojo. I don’t have any special dietary programme, but just eat anything. Probably there will be need to diet to avoid weight gain later.
“To say in Russia there are tough fighters is true, but a fight is in the mind. I will see what happens when I get there. God willing, I look forward to bringing something.
“Everything is paid for; my only worry is to be well prepared and show up for the fight,” said Mhlanga, who did his primary education in Chimanimani.
Born in Chipinge, Mhlanga attended school in the rural areas of Chimanimani before he came to Highfield where he resides with his parents today.
