Zim conducts second Bujinkan Ninjutsu Grading

Bridget Mabanda

Zim Ninja academy held its Second Bujinkan Ninjutsu Martial Arts grading on Saturday, which was aimed at checking if there was progress in trainings they have been doing.

Zim Ninja Academy Secretary-General, Christopher Garatsa told Zimbabwe Now that the grading is a positive step towards the development of Martial Discipline in the country.

‘‘Martial Arts Grading is a technical examination where students are tested on what they have learnt through training in that respective Martial Arts style syllabus,” he said.

Garatsa said the discipline, “Bujinkan Ninjutsu” was never there in Zimbabwe and it was introduced by Chief Instructor of the Zim Ninja Academy, Wilfred “Shidoshi-ho” Mashaya.

“The event was led by the country’s representative and pioneer of the discipline in the country, Chief Instructor Wilfred ‘Shidoshi-ho’ Mashaya.

“More than 60 participants, including men, women and children, took part in the event. Those who were grading for the first time were awarded the 9th Kyu Belts and second timers elevated to 8th Kyu Belts,” he said.

Garatsa said Zim Ninja Academy is on a mission to spread Martial Arts in Zimbabwe by promoting it to kids, women and men as they believe that the skills are a necessity in one’s life and should benefit everyone.

He said that Mashaya, who holds a black belt in the discipline, is Zimbabwe’s first certified ninja and the first authorised to hold such grading.

Mashaya in 2018, he was the Zimbabwe Sportsperson of the Year, regional sportsman of the year.

Under his belt, he has four black belts from different martial arts disciplines.

Mashaya founded the academy and has since introduced to the country new styles, including the Bujinkan Ninjutsu and Kobudo (Weapons).

The Bujinkan Ninjutsu martial arts discipline originates from Japan and Mashaya was trained in Montenegro, Europe.

The Zimbabwe Bujinkan Ninjutsu is under the Authority and guidance of the European Grandmaster Dai Shihan Lazarevic Predrag from Montenegro, and he is Mashaya’s mentor.

Zim Ninja Academy has been raising the Zimbabwe flag high, participating in and winning several martial arts virtual competitions.

Since 2020, Zim Ninja Academy has won at least 200 medals.

Martial arts come with many benefits; these include self-defence, survival skills, physical fitness, stress management, boosting confidence and esteem, brevity, flexibility and discipline.

Recently, the Academy hosted a historic first Zim Ninja Academy Awards which they intend to host annually.

Meanwhile, Zim Ninja Academy is looking forward to a fruitful 2023 as they want to continue raising the country’s flag high through their participation in International Tournaments lined up for next year if support and sponsorship permit.

The Academy has been doing well for the Nation and hopes that well-wishers and the corporate world will chip in with the much-needed support.