HARARE, ZIMBABWE – Zimbabwe’s martial arts ambassador, Shihan Wilfred Mashaya, has left for Budva, Montenegro, to represent the nation at the World Humanitarian Festival of Martial Arts. The former Kobudo World Champion departed on Thursday, carrying Zimbabwe’s flag onto a global stage dedicated to a critical cause.
This year’s festival has the important theme “Stop Suicide,” which aligns with World Suicide Prevention Day. It will bring together Grand Masters, Masters, and martial artists from across the world to promote mental wellness and resilience.
The event includes a training seminar for sharing techniques and experiences, followed by an awards ceremony. Shihan Mashaya is due to receive a special honour for his significant contributions to martial arts over his long career.
Before he left, Mashaya shared his motivation. “This is more than a competition; it’s a chance to spread a message of hope and solidarity,” he said. The event’s organiser, Grand Master Lazarevic, also commended Mashaya’s “resilience and passion,” describing him as an inspiring example for overcoming challenges.
The festival also acts as a warm-up for Mashaya’s main goal, reclaiming his world title. In October, he will lead a 20-member team, including women and children, to the ICO World Championship in Wales, UK. After being unable to defend his Kobudo crown last year due to sponsorship issues, Mashaya is focused on winning it back. There is hope that the corporate world and well-wishers will support the team’s journey.
Shihan Mashaya’s career is decorated with awards that show his skill and dedication. His honours include being inducted into various European and Asian Hall of Fames, being named Zimbabwe’s 2018 Sports Person of the Year, and becoming the first Zimbabwean to win a Regional Sportsman of the Year award. This year alone, he won five gold medals in England and was inducted into a Poland-based Hall of Fame in January. Through hard work, he continues to put Zimbabwe on the global martial arts map.
