‘From Russia with Love’

He went to the City of Moscow in Russia to compete in the International Kobudo Competition and Samurai Show held last month and he returned with full of love from Russia; Writes Robert Zvidza

Wilfred Mashaya (34) also now known as Ninjaress in police circles returned from the tournament with silver and bronze medals, trophies and certificates in Nunchaku (chuckle sticks) freestyle and weapon freestyle respectively.

For a first time performer competing with the mighty and the great from all over Europe, Mashaya is satisfied with his performance and says with more training, he can become a champion in future tournaments.

Says Mashaya, “I am confident that with more training, I can even do better judging by my performance at the show. This has given me a challenge to train more to show the world that my performance was not by coincidence. But I must say I was unsettled when I discovered that my manager (Senpai David Ochieng) and I were the only black people at the international tourney. Besides being the only African representative, I was the only rookie at the tourney which did not give me a chance.

“In the first performance, I performed second from last and the auditorium was quiet as they all wanted to see what a black man could do. After a few moves, I then heard a thunderous applause and I knew I had done well,” said Mashaya.

He speaks of his winning.

"To tell the truth, I dint think I would come back home with any accolade as my main purpose for competing was for me to gain experience so that I would come back home and perfect my performance. But after watching some of the participants perform, I told myself I could do it.

 “It was not easy being the only black participant but through God’s grace, I defied all odds and prevailed. I am happy I have done this for my beloved nation - Zimbabwe,” said Mashaya in an interview.

Apart from the competitions, Mashaya stands a great chance to become a certified Kobudo International Instructor after entering the grading exercise whose results will be out in January. He has also been successfully accepted and given a certificate as a member of the International Kobudo Association. His participation as well has also culminated in the Zimbabwe Karate Union (ZKU) being certified as an affiliate of the International Kobudo Association.

Mashaya is a black belt holder in Kyokushin from Japan Kyokushin Union and has managed to master different types of martial arts styles like Shaolin Kungfu (Chinese Style) and Kobudo (martial arts in weapons). He is now proficient in the use of chuckle sticks; the Tompha, Three Sectional Stuff, Daikisakai Sword, and the Katana Sword among other weapons which he said were all self-taught. That is why he, on freestyle weapon, he had to use the Tompha which earned him a bronze.

“I have discovered that I am talented in martial arts weapons and I want to specialize in these weapons,” he says.

The ZKU President, Mr. Joe Rugwete said that he was exited by Mashaya’s achievement.

“This achievement is for Zimbabwe and I am happy that this has shown that we have great talent in Zimbabwe and he has opened our eyes to see that we were not paying particular attention to this type of martial arts and his participation will help develop it,” he said.

Growing up, Mashaya has been surrounded by martial arts enthusiasts and this made him like the sport at a tender age. He started training martial arts at a tender age while doing Grade 5 in 1994. He was and is still inspired by action films by Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. He has high respect for his late Master Sensei Titus Chigumbu who groomed him from a tender age. He also received massive knowledge from several Japanese, Chinese and Korean masters.

“I was also encouraged by my priest at Roman Catholic Church where I was a mass server, who used to train the gujryu style.”

His association with many martial arts gurus has made him adapt to many martial arts styles.

Ninjaress has been involved in several competitions in the country where he has bagged many silverware.

His talent in the police was discovered while he was a recruit at Chikurubi Training Depot, where he formed a martial arts club with the assistance of his squad Instructor, Assistant Inspector Muchineripi Tarwirei. Later on during their graduation parade rehearsals, he was identified by the then Depot Commandant, Senior Assistant Commissioner Grace Ndebele now (Commissioner) who recommended that he gets posted to the ZRP Display Team after completing his training.

Mashaya who has become an integral part of the ZRP Display Team has from then continued to impress at various national events such as Independence Day Commemorations, Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), Graduation Parades, among other events held by the police.

He has used martial arts to come up with amazing scripts that he has used at various platforms.

He says of these acts in his previous interviews with The Outpost; “These acts are well planned activities, which I sit and down and plan how I can entertain people, according to what gathering I will be entertaining. I use the programme at hand to come out with a story that I then develop into an act, thanks to my colleagues who have accepted my contributions in the police display,” he said.

For Ninjaress Martial Arts is an inborn thing, which he also does as a hobby. He dreams to be the best martial artist. 

“Well, my first dream has been achieved. I always dreamt of joining the police and fighting crime through martial arts, which I think I have achieved. Now I want to be the best martial artist in the police and in the country."

Mashaya was born in Gutu, Masvingo in a family of six and is the only boy in his family. He grew up in Mufakose in Harare, where he attended Makundano Primary as from 1990 to 1996 before attending Form 1 until Form 6 at Mufakose 1 High School from 1997 to 2002.  He then enrolled with Harare Polytechnic College where he did Electronic Computer Systems before joining the Zimbabwe Republic Police on 26 May 2009, and got promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2013.

“I would like to thank the Commissioner General of Police, Cde Augustine Chihuri for allowing us to showcase our talents and allowing me to participate at this international stage. He also helped by sponsoring me in this tournament. Mr Tonderai Masvova of Integrity Advisory Services also provided insurance for the trip. I also acknowledge the efforts put by the ZKU in making sure I get the requirements for the tournament,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mashaya was given a hero’s welcome upon his return from Russia when he found an entourage organised by the ZRP and ZKU waiting to receive him at Harare International Airport