February Athlete Spotlight

For our next Athlete spotlight post, meet Austin Coleman! Austin is a dedicated young martial artist who continues to push himself to grow and improve every day. His passion for karate, combined with his love for sports and learning, makes him a well-rounded and determined athlete.  

As he trains with Team Georgia, he’s setting goals, overcoming challenges, and preparing for an incredible opportunity to compete in Norway. We sat down with Austin to learn more about his journey, his favorite moments in martial arts, and what motivates him to keep striving for success. Let’s get to know him!

Austin Coleman

Our Interview with Austin: 

• Q: What school do you attend?  Oglethorpe Point Elementary School.

• Q: How old are you?  9 years old.

• Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?  A professional baseball player.

• Q: What martial art do you practice with Team Georgia? Karate.

• Q: What’s your favorite thing about karate?  I like that if I end up in an emergency, I feel ready to defend myself against whatever is coming at me. 

• Q: Is there a specific goal you’re currently working on in your training? I want to be able to fight and kick better. I really want to work on putting more power behind my kicks. 

• Q: What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome in martial arts? Learning to kick was hard for me at first, and I used to have trouble not looking down while doing my forms. But I’ve gotten a lot better with that!

• Q: How long have you been training in martial arts?  I did it for three summers, and this is my first year doing it during the school year. 

• Q: What has been your proudest moment in martial arts so far?  Learning how to do my first form! I was really happy.

• Q: What’s your favorite thing to do outside of Team Georgia?  I like to practice sports and read.

• Q: What’s your favorite animal?  Dogs!

• Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Tokyo.

• Q: Are you excited about traveling to Norway with Team Georgia? Yes!

• Q: What’s been your favorite fundraiser for Team Georgia?  The car wash!

• Q: What would you tell someone who is nervous about trying out for the U.S. Team?  Just do your best and try your hardest, and you’ll make it and be okay.

• Q: Last fun question—how old do you think Coach Bisbee is? 43!

Austin’s dedication to martial arts and his commitment to constant improvement make him a true standout on Team Georgia. As he continues to train and prepare for the challenges ahead, one of the biggest opportunities on the horizon is traveling to Norway for the World Games. Getting our athletes there takes a team effort, and our fundraising efforts play a crucial role in making this dream a reality. Every fundraising event helps support these talented martial artists as they represent Team USA on the world stage. We’re so proud of Austin and all of our athletes—let’s keep working together to help them reach new heights!