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Sports Reporter

MARTIAL artist Wilfred Mashaya is happy to see his efforts being recognised after he was named the Master of the Year at the Humanitarian Martial Arts Festival and seminar in Montenegro over the weekend. 

The Humanitarian Martial Arts Festival and Seminar is a celebration of martial arts excellence and its positive impact on societies the world over.

The accolade recognises his exceptional contribution to the world of martial arts, in particular his mastery of the traditional Okinawan of Kobudo.

He is also a practitioner of bujinkan ninjutsu, Kyokushin karate, and self-defence.

“I feel very much happy. I am humbled to have received such recognition from the international community, especially from the other side of the world which is Europe.

“Being appreciated by people from outside your own country, it’s something that I don’t take lightly.

“It’s a blessing to me. I am humbled and the award, means a lot as it is an appreciation of my work not only in martial arts but also in the society where I am making an impact,” said Mashaya.

It is also a platform to raise awareness about suicide prevention, particularly among young people by engaging them in sports activities.

Through the activities, the organisers aim to teach them how to develop mental strength, cope with depression and other societal challenges affecting the world.

“I believe in sharing my talent with others so that we can have more world champions, more martial artists, we can have more impact in the society as martial arts grooms one to be a better person in the society.

“Also to make sure that through martial arts we encourage the youth, even the general public to refrain from substance and drug abuse, and also to refrain from violence, and to manage mental health issues through training martial arts, which was the theme here, that was saying we must stop suicide.

“So, I want to continue doing that and inspiring others so that they can go forward.

“But mainly to groom champions . . . And also, to make sure that the academy that I started continues to grow and make an impact in our society and also be known not only in Zimbabwe but even beyond the borders so that it helps in the sport’s visibility and raising our country’s flag high,” said Mashaya.

Mashaya is expected to lead a local team to the ICO World Martial Arts Championships to be held next month in Frankfurt, Germany.

“So, our eyes are now shifted to that, and I have groomed many women and kids who can now compete. I can say we have a team of 20 that is supposed to go to Germany if we find sponsorship.

“And this team comprises of eight kids. Amongst the eight kids, we have four girls and four boys. These kids are under the age of 12.

“Then we have four women to make them 12 and eight men to make a total of 20.

“So, we are hoping to go there and do our best if we manage to get sponsorship and we just hope the corporate world will chip in realising our efforts, what we are doing for the nation through sport, and support us so that we raise our country’s flag high in Germany in 2024,” said Mashaya. The competition is scheduled for October 11 to 13.