Zim Ninja Wilfred Mashaya Wins Gold in Bangladesh

Zim Now Writer

Zimbabwean martial artist, Master Wilfred Mashaya, won a gold medal for Zimbabwe in the International BG Karate Championship 2023 held at BKSP Sports Village, Saver, Dhaka, Bangladesh from December 28 to 29, 2023.

Popularly known as Zim Ninja in Martial Arts circles, Master Mashaya represented the country in the the Senior Men Freestyle Weapon Category, in which he won a gold medal , trophy and  certificate.

Taking part in the tournament, Mashaya said, was a way of creating bonds with other martial arts from outside Zimbabwe.
“This gesture was also a way of creating relationships and bonding among Martial Artists around the World and rewarding good efforts of Budo practitioners,“ Mashaya said.

The tournament was organised by Shihan Khaled Monsur Chowdhury Bangladesh Goju Ryu karate Federation supported by  Bangladesh Bashap Association. The Tournament had more Karate categories that ranges from Senior, Junior and Cadet categories in both Kumite and Kata.

In the senior men Weapons Category, Mashaya came first, winning gold ahead of Gautam Shrestha of Nepal, who came second, Raihan Mahmud of Bangladesh who came third and Koustav Sarkar of India who came fourth.

The Weapons Kobudo Maestro specialises in include the Tonfa, Nunchaku, Katana Swords, Sai, Bo and Kama among others.

A recipient of several medals, which include the 20 he and his team bagged in August in South Africa at the Regional Martial Arts Tournament and the 11 that he and Vincent Fambira won in the ICO Martial Arts World Championships held in Hull, England.

Speaking ahead of the Bangladesh tournament, Mashaya lamented their dire need of sponsorship.

“We should have sent a team of three but financial constraints limited us to one participant. We however, hope that the corporate world and other sponsors will chip in to support us in the future as we strive to put the country on the map through representing it on the global stage,” said the Kubodo champion, who is set to arrive back home at 12.35pm today.