Karate champ’s passion burns strong

His initial goal of learning self-defense has evolved into a passion.

May 9, 2024

Siphokuhle Mpanza 1 minute read

Sensei Gareth Hird participated in the 2024 North American Open in Las Vegas. He came home with a silver medal in the goju style kata category, bronze for all styles kata, silver for kobudo long weapons and bronze for kobudo short weapons. Hird was the only South African at the event where 22 countries were represented.

Gareth Hird (28), a black belt sensei of a third dan ranking, took up karate after his father was mugged at an ATM. What initially was a pursuit of self-defence has turned into his passion.

The Parkdene resident always called Boksburg home. He matriculated at Christian Brothers’ College and then pursued a tertiary education in film, specialising in sound design.

Hird has worked in New Zealand and currently works for a digital production company based in Los Angeles.

In 2013, he represented South Africa in Corfu, Greece, at the Youth Cup, and in the same year travelled to Tunisia for the Continental Championships and to Montreal, Canada, to compete in the Karate Commonwealth Championship.

He became world champion at the World Union Karate-do Federation (WUKF) Championships in Fort Lauderdale, USA in 2022 in the senior long weapons division. This is a title he defended and retained last year in Scotland.

Hird said karate is self-funded in South Africa. It was quite a challenge, but fundraisers helped to cover some costs. He started training in 2008 at the Goju Karate Academy, where he is still a member.

“Both in karate and my work, I am happy if I know I have put in my best, “said Hird.

Senseis Marius and Tarryn are mentors Hird looks up to. “They have taught me everything I know – both in life and karate. I aim to make them and the dojo proud. The confidence I have spills over, all thanks to karate, “said Hird.

He remembers an incident where his bo staff (wooden stick) slipped from his hands and knocked him on the head. Despite a bit of embarrassment, he was glad no one noticed.