ZIMBABWE’S martial arts sensation, Shihan Wilfred Mashaya, has added another feather to his cap, receiving the prestigious Master of the Year award at the 2024 Humanitarian Martial Arts Festival and Seminar in Budva, Montenegro on Saturday.
The Kobudo World Champion and multiple Hall of Fame recipient was presented with two trophies and certificates in recognition of his outstanding achievements in martial arts at the event concluding on Sunday.
Mashaya, fondly known as the Zim Ninja, has been making waves globally with his impressive performance in Kobudo, a traditional Okinawan martial art that emphasizes weapon-based combat.
His latest accolade was awarded based on his international performance as an active master and his remarkable contributions, including grooming a world champion, Vincent Fambira.
“I am truly humbled to receive this award,” Mashaya said in an exclusive interview with EntersportNews
“It is a recognition not just of my own efforts, but also of the hard work and commitment of my students, who have been instrumental in my journey to the top.”
Mashaya’s impressive resume boasts an array of accolades, including his crowning glory – the Kobudo World title, which he won in England in 2023. He is set to defend his title in October, and his confidence is sky-high, having recently won multiple medals in competitions in Bangladesh, including a remarkable haul of five medals in his most recent outing in England.
As a pioneer of Kobudo in Zimbabwe, Mashaya has been instrumental in developing over 30 athletes who are now ready to compete at the international level.
In October, 20 of his students will participate in the ICO World Championships in Frankfurt as part of the Zimbabwe Kobudo national team, a feat that Mashaya is extremely proud of.
“I have always believed that martial arts is not just about individual achievement, but about building a community that can inspire and uplift others,” Mashaya emphasised.
“My students are my greatest achievement, and I am thrilled to see them grow and excel in their respective careers.”
Mashaya was the sole representative from Africa among a distinguished group of martial arts masters and grandmasters from countries such as Poland, France, Serbia, Germany, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Macedonia, Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. They were all recognized and awarded for their exceptional performance in their respective areas.
