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Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Karate Union are expected to send a delegation of 12 athletes for the WKA World Championships in Poland next month.
It will be the first time that a full Zimbabwean team participates in this championship.
Previously, martial artist Wilfred Mashaya has self-funded, participated and brought gold medals home.
But this time around his seven-year-old son Wilfred Junior Mashaya is set to make history by being the youngest karateka to represent the country at the Championships.
However, the ”karate kid’s” dream hangs in the balance due to financial constraints.
Junior Mashaya was invited following his exploits in international virtual Kobudo competitions during the past two years. He has managed to win more than 15 medals.
The junior athlete is part of the Kobudo team that has partaken in many virtual international competitions organised by countries such as Poland, Malta and India and managed to win 109 gold medals, 79 silver and 56 bronze medals.
This time around the karatekas are expected to compete physically with other international karatekas.
Zimbabwe will be represented in the men’s category by 2018 Sportsperson and regional sports person Wilfred Mashaya (Snr), Vincent Fambira, Fredson Mhondiwa, Solomon Mandongwe, Owen Chiwawa and Farai Zuva.
In the women’s category, the quartet of Mitchell Rudanda, Thandiwe Chirindo, Zanele Mfiri and Tariroyashe Ndhlovu will compete while in the kids category there is Junior Mashaya and Virginia Chihuri.
The ZKU technical board selected the best possible team to represent the country and is confident that the team will lift the Zimbabwean flag high.
The organising team’s secretary, Thandiwe Chirindo, yesterday appealed for assistance for air tickets, visa and registration costs as well as other related expenses.
“We are appealing to the corporate world and well-wishers to assist us and make the trip a reality. We need support, we need help and we want to lift our country’s flag higher. We have done well in previous competitions, and we promise to do the same in this physical competition,” said Chirindo.
The karatekas have been managing to cater for virtual participation fees as well as buying uniforms and martial arts weapons.
But are unable to self–fund for the huge budget required for the European sojourn.
“We also have a special appeal for our seven-year-old athlete, Mashaya, who I believe needs everyone’s support as he is a unique talent worthy the attention,” said Chirindo.
The Zimbabwean ”karate kid” is eager to showcase his rare talent on a bigger platform and raise the country’s flag high.
Junior Mashaya became the first youngest Zimbabwean and African to be inducted into a European Hall of Fame, the Spartan Hall of Warriors.
He has benefitted hugely from the mentorship of his father, who is also grooming and training many kids at the Zim Ninja Academy.
Junior Mashaya started training at the age of four, following in his father’s footsteps. Junior is proficient with martial arts weapons such as Tonfa, Sai Bo/Staff, Nichaku (Chuckle Sticks) among others.
He also does weapon katas that include Tonqua Daichi, Toma Bo, Terukawa no Tonfa and freestyle Nuchaku. The karate kid can do more than five karate katas up to Pinan Sono Go (Pinan Godan). He can also do some gymnastics moves and action stunts.
The Kobudo team has worked with the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation participating in voluntary social responsibilities like free self-defence training and awareness campaigns targeting women with disabilities.
Online Reporter