Mashaya shines in Russia
ZIMBABWE’S only representative at the International Kobudo Martial Arts Competition and Samurai Show in Russia, Wilfred Mashaya, rose to the occasion as he scooped three medals at the event staged in Moscow over the weekend.
Kobudo is a system of martial arts that involves training and practice in a variety of hand-held weapons including metal and wooden weapons such as swords, wooden staffs, nunchaku and ancient weapons.
Mashaya picked a silver medal in the men’s weapon freestyle. He went on to take two bronze medals in the nunchaku freestyle and men’s kata at the two-day event that ended yesterday.
The event saw athletes from different countries, including Japan, France, Malta and the hosts Russia, taking part. And Mashaya was the only African at the event.
Zimbabwe Karate Union secretary-general, Steven Charandura, was full of praise for Mashaya as he said it was a great achievement for him and the country at large.
“It’s a sign of dedication, it’s a sign of determination. Mashaya is a well-focused athlete and humble. If he sets a target he makes sure he meets his target. You would find that with some athletes their performance is like a see-saw but he has been consistent. “So it shows that with proper facilities, with proper training he can do better, he is destined to do better,” said Charandura.
Last year Mashaya walked away with a silver and a bronze medal at the same competition where he was making his debut appearance. And this time around he made it three to surpass his previous performance.
Charandura said while the style is still new in Zimbabwe they are happy to have such individuals like Mashaya raising the country’s flag high before adding that the future looks good.
“Zimbabwe started participating last year and it’s an annual event hosted by the Kobudo Association of Russia. And last year is when we got the certificate to do kobudo when we sent Mashaya to represent us there and he did so well.
“At the moment he is the only one making the grade but we are looking forward to developing more athletes to be able to participate.
“For the future, it only shows that there is expansion and growth of sport in the country. And it shows again that Zimbabwe is indulged with a lot of talent that needs to be unlocked by availing resources,” said Charandura.
Mashaya was also awarded the second dan kobudo to be Branch Chief in Zimbabwe after he successfully went through the grading process during this competition.