By Brighton Chiseva
MASVINGO – At an age when most children are still learning to tie their shoelaces,
sevenyearold Anopaishe Munashe Nyandoro has already discovered his calling, not in the usual
ball games that occupy his peers, but in the disciplined, unforgiving world of karate. And he is
already making a name for himself.
While his elder brother Atipaishe Nyandoro shines on the tennis court, a path he could easily
have followed, Anopaishe chose to be different. He picked fighting, and in just three years, he
has become one of the most promising young martial artists in Masvingo.
Anopaishe who is in Stage 1B at Junior Primary School started karate when he was only 3 and
was crowned Karataker of the year 2025 at his school. His mother, Tichamupei Comfort
Chivore, told TellZim News that he was always hyperactive, and when he expressed interest in
karate, she was relieved because she knew the sport would channel his energy into discipline.
“He used to follow his brother for tennis, but later he said he wanted to do karate. I suspect he
made that decision after watching Karate Kid, the movie with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan,” she
said.
She explained that before karate, Anopaishe had a tendency to figsht and would beat up other
children at school.
“I would be called to the school even when he was very little. He would beat up others but now,
that has completely changed. He is a much more disciplined young boy,” she said.
However, she admitted that as a mother, she still worries that he may injure others especially if
he gets provoked. She said she was also worried that he may get injured in training or during
tournaments.
“Given his age, I sometimes fear he may fail to control himself if provoked. Karate is a physical
sport, and there are risks. There was a time he limped for a long time after injuring his leg, and
another time he was kicked on the cheek. But I understand the risks, and I give him all the
support he needs.” She said.
Anopaishe trains under Sensei Cedric Chuchu at Greatwalks Karate Club, based at Masvingo
Sports Club. The club takes children from as young as three or four years old, with parents
paying US$25 per month for training.
Sensei Chuchu, who began training Anopaishe when he was just three years old, described him
as a powerful young boy with immense energy.
“I started training him when he was three, and I have seen a lot of improvement. He is now
focused, and the martial arts training is helping him.
He had a lot of energy, and you know, those with energy usually bully others, but he is now very
disciplined. He was naughty, but we tuned him. Now he is mature that even if you speak with
him, you feel like you are speaking to an adult,” said Chuchu.
He said karate has improved Anopaishe’s body endurance, coordination, flexibility, and even
memory retention, benefits that have helped him both at school and at home.
Anopaishe has already tasted success. He won a silver medal at a national tournament and later
added a bronze medal to his collection in two Best of the Best tournaments held in Kwekwe. In
another tournament held in Harare, he did not win an award, but the determined youngster was
not discouraged.
For a boy who could have simply followed his brother’s footsteps into tennis, Anopaishe has
carved his own path – one of discipline, bruises, medals, and a growing reputation. With the
support of his mother and the guidance of Sensei Chuchu, this sevenyearold may well become a
force to reckon with in Zimbabwean karate.
Greatwalks Karate Club enrolls kids from three years in the junior category and 18 an above in
the adult category and members pay US$25 per month.
