adminCurtworth Masango
NINJUTSU chief Instructor, Shidoshi-ho Wilfred Mashaya, of ZimNinja Academy, led the first Ninjutsu grading in Zimbabwe recently at Morris Depot in Harare.
More than 50 participants, from all age groups, took part in the event.
Shidoshi-ho Mashaya, who holds a black belt in the discipline, is the first certified Ninja in the country, and pioneered the discipline.
The Zimbabwe Bujinkan Ninjutsu is under the authority, and guidance, of grandmaster Dai Shihan Lazarevic Predrag, from Montenegro.
He is also Mashaya’s mentor.
Mashaya, who was the 2018 Zimbabwe Sportsperson of the Year, said he was humbled by the growth of the discipline under his watch.
“I am very humbled to see the discipline growing and being embraced by all age groups.
“We have ladies coming up and taking weaponry, and excelling in a field you would only find men.
“As the pioneer of this discipline, I am excited to see it growing in the country.
“The discipline is popular worldwide and seeing us also being recognised by the international community is something I am actually proud of.”
He said martial arts comes with a number of benefits, which include self-defence knowledge, survival skills, physical fitness, stress management, boosting confidence and esteem, flexibility and discipline.
“It takes a lot of commitment and hard work to achieve in martial arts and I am delighted that the group managed to show that,” he said.
ZimNinja Academy also recently participated in a number of international martial arts competitions and bagged more than 200 medals.
Graded Individuals
Thandiwe Chirindo, Mitchell Rudanda, Wilfred Jnr Mashaya, Tavona Mashaya, Nyasha Michelle Chagonda, Vincent Fambira, Cade Zvavanjanja, Solomon Mandongwe, Gift Huni, Samson Mapisa, Fredson Mhondiwa, Nicole Mkowa, Brian Shepeni, Peter Murapa, Farayi Zuva, Oratile Sihwa, Sandra Gwena, Marksen Mudzengerere, Ian Wekwete, Peter Murapa, Prince Chabanga, Nobert Vangana, Jeahan Zvavanjanja, Olga Zvavanjanja, El Zvavanjanja.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter