BRIDGET MABANDA
HARARE-The newly appointed Zimbabwe Karate Union (ZKU) board vice president, Wilfred Mashaya says the recently appointed executive is working towards making waves in the region and the world over resources permitting.
This comes after Mashaya held a Zimbabwe Bujinkan Ninjutsu Martial Arts grading over the weekend which saw more than 60 participants including men, women and children taking part as they believe in equal opportunities.
He said, “We should continue raising the country’s flag high in the world of sports as demonstrated by their previous success records.
“The grading is a positive step towards the development of Martial Arts in the country. Zim Ninja Academy is an affiliate of Zimbabwe Karate Union (ZKU).”
Martial Arts Grading is a technical examination where students are tested on what they have learnt through training in their respective Martial Arts style syllabus.
Mashaya is a holder of a black belt in the discipline making him Zimbabwe’s first certified ninja and the first authorised to hold such grading.
He added that ZKU is on a mission to spread Martial Arts in Zimbabwe by promoting it in kids, women and men because the skills are a necessity in one’s life and should benefit everyone.
Mashaya added that he was humbled to be elected as ZKU vice president and looks forward to do his best for the good of the organisation and its various stakeholders.
“There is vast talent under ZKU which needs to be groomed, nurtured and supported so as to conquer the world. Working together as ZKU with unity of purpose will help us to yield fruitful results for the good of Martial arts and sport,” he said.
The newly appointed ZKU executive is made up of president, Shihan Tawanda Mufundisi, vice president Shidoshi-ho Wilfred Mashaya, secretary general, Sempai Precious Garikayi, treasurer Sempai Tanaka Nyakuipa and technical director Shihan Sharleen Amoda.
The Bujinkan Ninjitsu martial arts discipline originated in Japan under Soke Masaaki Hatsumi of Japan who was the founder.
The Zimbabwe Bujinkan Ninjutsu is under the authority and guidance of the European grandmaster Dai Shihan Lazarevic Predrag who doubles as Mashaya’s mentor.
In 2018, Mashaya won the Zimbabwe Sportsperson of the Year and regional sportsman of the year and is a holder of four black belts from different martial arts disciplines.
He founded the Zim Ninja Academy which practises Kyokushin Karate, Bujinkan Ninjutsu, Kobudo (martial arts weapons), Self Defence and Nunchaku-do.
