The Multi Award Winning Martial Artist Master Wilfred Mashaya (Zim Ninja) has been appointed the President of International Combat Organisation in Zimbabwe. This was After a successful Tour of England last month in October in which him and his student Fambira won 11 Gold medals which impressed the ICO organisation that they is great talent in Zimbabwe showcased by the two World Champions.
Among the 11 medals they won were 8 Gold medals, 2 Silver medals and one bronze medal. ICO is an International Martial Arts Body based in England with more than 45 affiliated Member countries which do various Martial arts styles around the World. Since 2009 when the organisation was formed, this was the first time for Zimbabwe to participate in the prestigious Tournament and they broke history and raised the country’s flag high.
The Organisation was founded more than a decade ago by the Martial Arts guru, Founder & ICO World President Mr Andrew Hennessy in October 2009 and has grown to be one of the largest and powerful Martial Arts respected Organisations in the World with a large number of member countries.
The International Combat Organisation (ICO) was formed to promote and sanction competition in multi-disciplines both nationally and internationally in over 45 countries. Some of the member countries include England, Russia, Japan, France, Germany, Egypt, Wales, Australia, Spain, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Italy, Sweden, Iran, India, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Belgium, Orkney, Azerbaijan , Latvia , Serbia, USA, Denmark, Brazil, Portugal, New zealand, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Austria, Morocco, Lebanon,Croatia, Poland, Hungary , Moldova, Canada and recently Zimbabwe among other member countries.
The ICO organisation was impressed by Master Mashaya’s hardwork, dedication, commitment and above all discipline in Martial Arts and his desire to train and uplift other Martial Artists in his country. They were also impressed by his talent in various Martial Arts styles especially in Weapons (Kobudo).
Popularly known as the Zim Ninja, Master Mashaya broke History by becoming the first World Kobudo Champion in Zimbabwe and Africa, also pioneered two Martial Arts disciplines in Zimbabwe namely Kobudo (weapons) and Bujinkan Ninjutsu. He is also a practitioner of Karate & Self Defence. A Holder of 4 Black Belts and a multi award winning Hall of Famer.
Something positive to note about the indomitable spirit of this Zimbabwean Warrior is even under difficult conditions of financial constraints or sometimes failing to get Sponsorship for World events, Master Mashaya is not deterred but has continued to make waves around the world for the love of his country, defying all odds and raising the country’s flag wherever he goes around the globe.
As far as Sports is concerned , he has done tremendous work for the nation contributing to the country’s visibility in Sports through his impressive participation. For the record in 2019 he also made the nation proud by becoming the First Male Zimbabwean to win the prestigious Regional Sportsman of the year representing Zimbabwe after he was crowned the 2018 Zimbabwe Sportsman and Sports person of the year. In 2016 he conquered Russia as the only African Kobudoka in Moscow hosted Martial Arts Championships and from there he never looked back.
Through this appointment, he greatly thanks the Almighty Lord for the grace that his efforts are being recognised & appreciated by the International community and promises to work hard in developing local talent and promoting Martial arts in the country. Locally the Zim Ninja is also the Vice President of Zimbabwe Karate Union. He urged youth to engage into sports as it helps them to stay away from criminal activities, to stay away from drugs and substance abuse.
For him he believes Martial arts is good for the society as it instills discipline, promotes health and physical fitnes, knowing self defense techniques incase of attacks by criminals, bullies or Hooligans. It also grooms kids to be better versions of themselves, to have kindness, respect elders, humility and be better people in the society so that we make this world a better place for everyone.
Master Mashaya also thanks everyone who support him and believes in his potentials and he just hopes that potential Sponsors and the corporate world will chip in to support his vision and mission in Sport as he believes he can achieve more with enough backing and much needed support.
