Sunward Park karateka strikes with passion and purpose

Sunward Park’s Henry Berry (43) has dedicated much of his life to the art of karate, and his journey is nothing short of inspiring.

Berry, a 6th Dan instructor at Nippon Tigers Karate Club, first discovered his passion for martial arts in primary school. Interestingly, his first foray into combat sport was not karate but judo, which he practised at school. However, the allure of martial arts icon Bruce Lee soon drew him toward karate.

“I wanted to do something along the lines of what Bruce Lee did,” Berry recalled.

Over the years, his dedication has paid off. Berry has earned both Protea and South Gauteng colours, representing his province and country with pride. Most recently, he brought home bronze medals in both kata and kumite divisions at the 4th Gold Midrand Shotokan Karate Tournament – a significant achievement in a highly competitive arena.

While his focus is Shotokan, Berry doesn’t just compete; he also teaches. He began instructing seven years ago and continues to do so while remaining active on the tournament circuit.

“It’s a great feeling to be able to pass on your knowledge. Karate has many benefits. For children, it can improve focus and help with their studies. For adults, it helps relieve stress. It also boosts self-esteem in a positive way. Karate isn’t about fighting – it’s about self-defence.”

Berry speaks from personal experience. Years ago, he was the victim of a hijacking and credits his martial arts training for helping him manage the traumatic incident with composure.

“Thanks to karate, I was able to control myself and handle the situation in a calm and non-provocative way,” he said.

When he’s not in the dojo, Berry works full-time in glass manufacturing. Balancing work, training, and instructing isn’t always easy, but he manages it.
“I just stick to my schedule,” he said simply.

Overcoming obstacles
Berry’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. At one point, he nearly walked away from karate due to a lack of support from his father.

“My dad didn’t approve. He believed it was against the Lord’s will. It took years, but now he’s accepted it – and today, he actually encourages me to keep improving.”

Berry pours as much time and energy as he can into his craft and stays in regular communication with his own instructor as he continues to hone his skills.

His future goal is straightforward: “I just want to get better at karate.”

He encourages young and aspiring martial artists to remain committed, no matter the obstacles:

“Don’t give up, no matter how difficult it gets. Keep going – you’ll see the rewards in time.”

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