This Kelowna karate kid is ready for the world stage

Karate has been part of Indigo Berry’s life for last nine years.

And soon, his pursuit of the martial art will see him compete on the world stage in Turkey in the 2022 World Karate Federation World Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships.

The 15-year-old earned his spot thanks to success at the 2022 National Championships in July, where he placed first in the Kumite Cadet division.

Berry, who practices at the Rodney Hobson Karate Academy (RHKA) in Rutland, will be the first trained athlete from the school to compete at this level. He told Kelowna10 he’s excited about showcasing his skills on an international stage, and to learn how others around the world execute their talents.

“Just getting the chance to fight all the different countries and seeing all the different fighting styles and how much I can learn from that experience,” he said.

Berry, a brown belt, said he enjoys karate because it fits with his active lifestyle and gives him the opportunity to go face top level competition.

“I’m a very active person and I love competing with other competitors, even just close by, like in Vancouver for example, and just having the experience to be out there and just having fun,” he said.

Head Instructor and RHKA owner, Rodney Hobson, said Indigo is “tremendously hard-working and dedicated.” Hobson has appreciated watching the young pupil’s progress since day one.

“To have him from a tiny white belt kid, to now competing on the world stage, is tremendous,” he said. “We’ve had other athletes compete in high level events like the Pan-American Championships. But he is the first athlete to come out of the academy from white belt to where he is now to compete at the world level.”

Hobson said the championship in Turkey is the highest-level event someone of Berry’s age can compete at. Berry will be going up against 53 other competitors, and Hobson has confidence in his student’s ability.

“He learned a lot of lessons at the Pan Am Championships, which was his previous event in Mexico. He’s trained hard. He’s ready. His cardio is up, and his weight is on point,” he said. “Technically and tactically, he’s there. If the right Indigo shows up, he’ll do tremendously.”

A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help cover costs for his next competition and to help with other events in 2023.