The ever shining & multi award winning Martial Artist Master Wilfred Mashaya clinched gold medal for Zimbabwe in the International BG Karate Championship 2023 held at BKSP Sports Village, Saver, Dhaka , Bangladesh from 28 to 29 Of December 2023.
Popularly known as Zim Ninja in Martial Arts circles, Master Mashaya represented Zimbabwe in the the Senior Men Freestyle Weapon Category. He was under the banner of Zimbabwe Karate Union (ZKU). He got a Gold Medal , Trophy and certificate. On top of that he was also honoured with a trophy inscribed “Wilfred Mashaya – ZKU Vice President” as an honour for his hard work , dedication and commitment to develop Martial arts in his country.
This gesture was also a way of creating relationships and bonding among Martial Artists around the World and rewarding good efforts of Budo practitioners. This has been evidenced by Zim Ninja’s achievements in the country, the region and the world over. He has been making waves in Martial Arts and such efforts are being appreciated by the International community.
The Tournament was organised by Shihan Khaled Monsur Chowdhury Bangladesh Goju Ryu karate Federation supported by Bangladesh Bashap Association. It had more Karate categories that ranges from Senior, Junior & Cadet categories in both Kumite and Kata.
In The Senior Men Weapon Category, Wilfred Mashaya came First winning Gold ahead of Gautam Shrestha of Nepal who came second , Raihan Mahmud of Bangladesh who came third and Koustav Sarkar of India who came fourth.
The Weapons The Kobudo Maestro specialises in include the Tonfa, Nunchaku, Katana Swords, Sai , Bo and Kama among others. Mashaya Introduced the Kobudo discipline in Zimbabwe in 2016 after a successful Tour of Russia in an International Kobudo Tournament held in Moscow.
Previously Zim Ninja has coached The Zimbabwe Kobudo Team that has done well in Martial Arts Weapon Competitions (Kobudo) thereby raising the country’s flag high in sports in 2023 Tournaments and previous years. He is making impressive strides Under his Zim Ninja Academy which he formed in 2018 for the development of Martial Arts in the country.
The 2023 Tournaments they participated in as Zimbabwe Kobudo Athletes include: The Regional Martial Arts Tournament held in August in South Africa where the Team of six participants bagged 22 Medals and that team had 5 Female participants as a way of supporting gender equality and benefits of Self Defence and Martial arts to the girl child and women .
In October Mashaya and his student Vincent Fambira went on to win 11 Medals in the ICO Martial Arts World Championships held in Hull, England. Then recently the Bangladesh Tournament.
Despite various challenges like lack of Sponsorship and resources, the Kobudo Maestro has remained resolute in adversity, defying all odds and has went on to represent with flying colours thereby putting the nation on the World map through sports.
The Zim Ninja is expected back in the country on Sunday the 31 December 2023 from a successful Mission. He will be Landing at 14:35 Hrs at the Robert Mugabe International Airport. Be there to receive our Zim Champion, let’s end the Year on a high note.
