Story by ZBC Reporter
Acclaimed Zimbabwean martial artist Wilfred ‘Zim Ninja’ Mashaya has received special recognition at the International Budo Bushi Hall of Fame in Poland for promoting martial arts in Zimbabwe and globally.
Mashaya received the award this Saturday in Lacko, Poland, at an event was organised by International Martial Arts Association and International Self Defense Association through its president, Grand Master Stanislaw Majchrzak.
Literally, Budo Bushi means Martial Arts Warrior and the accolade comes as Mashaya continues to gain International recognition from various countries each year as a sports ambassador for putting Zimbabwe on the global map through his talent.
The Inductees were considered after having made a significant contribution to the martial arts way (bushido), for being disciplined, possessing good character that represents a strong role model, qualities admired by the society so as to set an example for others.
The award also means that one would have shown exceptional qualities such as sincerity, loyalty, respect, dedication, commitment, mastery, hard work, bravery as well as serving others with love and kindness until death. Above all, the achievements one amassed in Budo (Martial Arts) also give weight to the recognition and honor.
On top of those qualities, Shihan Mashaya received a Ninja Warrior Award for being the first certified Ninja from Zimbabwe and the hard work he is doing in promoting the style in his country. He was presented with the 6th Dan certificate in Kobudo in front of Grand Masters from around the World.
This comes as testimony of the impact he has made in the weaponry martial arts in Zimbabwe, Africa and the world over. Mashaya defied all odds by pioneering the sport in Zimbabwe years back, hence the international community considers it as contributing to the growth of martial arts. It is also a great milestone as he went on to become one of the top Kobudo practitioners to ever come from Africa.
Mashaya is arguably the best notable and most decorated Kobudo World Champion from Africa. He was presented with The Shihan Self Defense Certificate and Security Self Defense Award for the great job he is doing in Zimbabwe in training the general public and also the security personnel in self defence. He was also honoured with the World Nunchaku Champion Belt, Samurai Award Trophy, Samurai Award Belt, Golden Colour Nunchaku, medals of honour and Order of the Dragon Special Award.
Zim Ninja was honoured in front of notable guests who are Grand Master Bernd Hohle who is an actor, Multiple World Champion and Guinness World Book record holder, Professor Dr Tadeusz Ambrozy, Dr Wieslaw Bigos, as well as World Record Champion and actor GM Thomas Teige, among others.
Grand Master Majchrzak together with the above mentioned esteemed guests presented the various awards to Shihan Mashaya.
Representing Zimbabwe, Zim Ninja was honoured together with other inductees from countries such as Romania, Israel, India, Slovakia, UK, Poland, Nepal, Turkey, Montenegro, Portugal, Ukraine, Germany, Greece, Egypt, Czechia, Indonesia, Switzerland, United States of America and Belgium, among others.
This year, Shihan Mashaya is aiming to take a team of 10 or more martial arts students to world championships. He has invested in the junior policy and also in grooming women to promote gender equality in the sport.
Zim Ninja is not new to receiving accolades. He bagged the 2018 Zimbabwe Sportsperson of the Year award, was the first Zimbabwean to clinch the Regional Sportsman of the Year Award in 2019; he has won the Kobudo World Champion, holds four Black Belts in Kyokushin, Ninjutsu, Kobudo and Self Defense and is a multiple Hall of Famer, among other International recognitions.
In August 2024, Mashaya won 5 medals in England (4 gold & one silver) and in November he went on to win 4 medals in Wales (2 gold & 2 silver). He was also honoured with a Humanitarian Award in Montenegro in September 2024. It is these and other previous achievements that have resulted in Mashaya being recognised by the Poland-based Hall of Fame.
In his quest to raise the country’s flag high through sports, Mashaya has travelled to countries such as Russia, Spain, Montenegro, England, Italy, Bangladesh, Wales, Poland, South Africa, Ghana and Namibia, among others, always draped in the Zimbabwean flag.
He is expected back home on Tuesday.
