Rwanda national karate team has got a new coach, Yuji Kazuki, who arrived in the country on Wednesday afternoon—the Japanese trainer has signed a one-year contract.

Kazuki, 28, takes over from interim coach, Noel Nkuranyabahizi, 35, a Rwandan who has been in charge since the departure of Russian Karate expert Ruslan Adamov early last year.

Nkuranyabahizi, who received him at the airport, noted that for the local players to gain the level of skill required to command respect at international arenas, Rwanda needs more than just one specialist for all the tough competition sections – in Kumite (fighting) and in Kata.

Nkuranyabahizi said: "The karate family and the national team, in particular, are in high spirits. A more experienced coach only comes to add value to our growing team and we are ready to learn and improve as this is the only way we can achieve our dream, winning gold in international tournaments.”

"Looking back at the past five years, I know that we have come from far and made modest but commendable steps. 

Success in Karate requires a lot that we never had but we managed to at least put fear in our opponents, something that never happened in the past. With more support, and better organization, we can win big,” he added.

Kazuki holds a third Dan from the famed Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF). From July 1996 to March 2015, he was associated with the Japan Karatedo Union Diawa-ryu Karate of Japan Karatedo Federation where as instructor of the Renseikan Dojo, a martial arts school.

At the school, he was teaching beginners and engaged in player development through teaching Kata, a set sequence of karate moves organized into a pre-arranged fight against imaginary opponents, and Kumite (fighting).

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is fully funding the new coach the one-year contract.

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