By James Tichaendepi
HARARE, Zimbabwe — Thirteen-year-old Anotida Hove of St John’s High School, Emerald Hill, has put both her school and country on the global map after winning four medals at the International Combat Organisation World Championships in Wales, United Kingdom.
Competing as part of the Zimbabwe Young Karate Stars, Anotida helped the team win 43 medals at the tournament.
She trains under veteran martial artist and Zim Ninja Academy founder Wilfred Mashaya, who said her performance was the result of talent backed by hard work and discipline.
“My little girl has brought four medals to Zimbabwe from the ICO Championships in Wales, United Kingdom,” said Mashaya.
The Zimbabwe Young Karate Stars squad – made up of Anotida, Thandeka Moyo, Dean Gwatah, Anenyasha Hove, Wilfred Mashaya Jr., Brian Mupindu Jr., Takudzwa Chizema and Arnold Mudzengere – impressed against international opponents and returned home with an eye-catching medal haul.
On October 23, the team received a hero’s welcome at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare.
St John’s High School, Emerald Hill learners joined other supporters in song, dance and ululation as they celebrated the young martial artists, including their schoolmate who had shone on the world stage.
In a video shared on Mashaya’s Facebook page, a smiling but emotional Anotida thanked everyone who came to welcome her home.
“I would like to thank you all for coming to support me. I invite you to join karate because it teaches many skills. The journey was hard, but we made it,” she said.
She also paid tribute to her coach, saying he always reminded the team that “pain is temporary, but honour is immortal” – a message that kept them going through tough training sessions and pressure-filled bouts.
St John’s High School, Emerald Hill, which has been praised this year for promoting both academic excellence and extracurricular activities, said Anotida’s success shows what is possible when learners are supported to explore their talents beyond the classroom.
“Congratulations to our one and only award winner, Anotida, for winning four gold medals in karate in the UK! We are immensely proud of your remarkable achievement and the way you have represented us with excellence,” the school said in a Facebook post.
Teachers at the school say her story is already inspiring other pupils to try new sports and activities, especially girls who may feel that combat sports are only for boys.
Karate, they note, helps children build confidence, respect, self-control and resilience – skills that are valuable in school and in everyday life.
For Anotida, the medals are only the beginning. She says she wants to keep training, improve her techniques and encourage more children to join her on the mats.
“When younger children see someone their age doing this, they start to believe they can do it too,” one teacher said. “That is the real victory – opening doors for others.”
