malvernmugadzikwa
Deputy Sports Editor
THE mat is the one place Wilfred Mashaya seems to feel at home.
The 40-year-old Kobudo expert hopes mats will help shape careers of the next generation of athletes, many of whom will carry his legacy in fields of martial arts like Kobudo, Ninjutsu and, most recently, karate.
“In martial arts, we don’t retire but actually get better with age like a fine bottle of wine,” said Mashaya.
“Martial arts are a way of life and one can practise until they die.
“I am nowhere close to retiring, as martial arts are my life, but I do feel the time has come for me to give back.
“The only way I know how is to groom the next generation of martial artists and fighters.”
Mashaya is well-known for his pioneering efforts to put both Kobudo and Ninjutsu on the map, both locally and internationally. However, the Mufakose-based fighter has since added another feather in his cap — he is now vice president of the Zimbabwe Karate Union (ZKU).
“I was truly humbled when I received the offer, which came during the ZKU election earlier this year.
“I was nominated in absentia and only received the news a day or two afterwards,” said Mashaya, who is also known as Zim Ninja.
“Personally, I took it as a challenge, as those who nominated and voted me in saw something in me, some leadership qualities, and it is now my duty to live up to their expectations and faith,” he
said.
“The last couple of months, I have been concentrating on my students, teaching them the discipline of Ninjutsu.
“I have introduced this new style at my academy and we have held a couple of grading exercises so that we match international standards.
“It has been a very busy couple of months, as I have extended my teachings to other styles like Kobudo, Ninjutsu and, most recently, karate.
“My students did very well at the virtual competitions during the pandemic, and the task now is to get them ready for the physical ones coming up.”
He also spoke of his role at ZKU.
“The task at hand is to make sure full-contact karate makes an impact on both the local and international fronts.
“I hope to be a unifying factor in all these disciplines.
“After all the travels, achievements and lessons I have gained over the years, I hope to plough back and bring some sort of benefit to the Zimbabwe Karate Union.
“The talent is there in abundance, so my goal now is to make sure we harness it, nurture it and groom the next generation of fighters and martial artists.”
Online Reporter