Renowned Zimbabwean Kobudo expert, Wilfred Mashaya, also known as Zim Ninja, arrived on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, to participate in the prestigious International BG Karate Championship 2023. The championship is scheduled to take place at BKSP Sports Village, Saver, Dhaka, Bangladesh, starting from December 28 to December 29, 2023.
This esteemed tournament is meticulously organised by Shihan Khaled Monsur Chowdhury, representing the Bangladesh Goju Ryu Karate Federation and supported by the Bangladesh Bashap Association. Master Mashaya will be proudly representing Zimbabwe in the Kobudo (Weapon Categories) segment, aligning with the esteemed Zimbabwe Karate Union (ZKU). In addition to Kobudo, the tournament will feature various Karate categories, including Senior, Junior, and Cadet divisions in both the Kumite and Kata disciplines.
Master Mashaya in Bangladesh
Master Mashaya has honed his expertise in an array of weapons within the Kobudo discipline, showcasing proficiency in Tonfa, Nunchaku, Katana Swords, Sai, Bo, and Kama, among others. His journey into Kobudo began in 2016 after achieving success in an International Kobudo Tournament held in Moscow, Russia. Since then, Master Mashaya has demonstrated unwavering dedication and continuous growth, leaving an indelible mark on the global martial arts stage.
Zim Ninja has previously coached the Zimbabwe Kobudo Team, achieving notable success in Weaponry Competitions (Kobudo), elevating the nation’s standing in sports throughout the 2023 Tournaments. Under his guidance, the team secured over 20 medals at the Regional Martial Arts Tournament in South Africa in August and an impressive 11 medals at the ICO Martial Arts World Championships in Hull, England, in October.
Despite facing challenges, such as a lack of sponsorship, Master Mashaya remains resolute in his mission. Having founded the Zim Ninja Academy in 2018 to foster martial arts development in Zimbabwe, he is committed to showcasing the country’s prowess on the global stage.
Despite attending the ICO Martial Arts World Championships alone due to sponsorship constraints, Mashaya is optimistic that the corporate sector and potential sponsors will recognize their efforts and contribute to their future endeavours. The Zimbabwean Ninja is steadfast in his mission to elevate the country’s reputation through sports, pledging to continue representing Zimbabwe with distinction worldwide.
