In a male-dominated sport, Masedisa came out tops
Masedisa Mojaki was conferred the title of shihan in Japan.
Tsakani – Being a shihan is something many can only dream of. Masedisa ‘Mas’ Mojaki recently realised this dream when she earned the title of being the first black female shihan in October.
Masedisa was born in Katlehong, where she started karate in 1988. She moved to Tsakani and spent most of her youth continuing with karate before returning to Katlehong.
“I’ve always loved playing sport. There was a time I stopped karate, but I still kept healthy through soccer and netball,” Masedisa said.
Mas trained in the 13th WKO Shinkyokushin Karate Seminar in Japan from October 11 to 18, where she earned her godan (fifth black belt) and was granted the title of shihan.
“This is a male-dominated field, and only a few women get to be shihans,” she said.
She said the journey to becoming a shihan was challenging yet exciting. Mas said the seminar showed her that though she’s short, she can stand her ground, and it helped her realise her full potential and show courage.
She has two dojos, one in Katlehong at the Ekurhuleni School for the Deaf and one in Benoni called Mas se Dojo.
With the one in Katlehong, she said it is not challenging training deaf people because karate is more about signs than talking.
“My karatekas understand me when I train them, and it gives me joy seeing them play the sport,” she said.
The World Karate Organisation Shinkyokushinkai South Africa president, shihan Isaac Mashinini, congratulated Mas on her well-deserved promotion grading.
“We celebrate you, and your achievement inspires us all, and we look forward to the many prosperous years in the sport of karate. Osu,” Mashinini concluded.
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