April Athlete Spotlight

We’re excited to introduce Max Barnard as our April Athlete Spotlight! A dedicated member of Team Georgia, Max brings a competitive edge, a great attitude, and a love for learning to every practice. Whether he's working hard in class or pushing himself to meet new goals, Max exemplifies the heart of Team Georgia. His focus and perseverance make him not only a strong competitor, but also an inspiring teammate. With big dreams and a strong spirit, Max is ready to take on the world—starting with Norway! We sat down with Max for an interview to learn more about him. Let's see what he has to say!

Max Barnard

Our Interview with Max:

Q: What school do you attend? Max: Glynn Middle School

Q: How old are you? Max: 12 

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up? Max: A Real estate agent!

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

Q: What’s your favorite thing about karate? Max: Sparring, because of the physical contact.

Q: Is there a specific goal you’re currently working on in your training? Max: Learning a new Kata.

Q: What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome in martial arts? Max: Probably trying to get my new belt when I was a yellow belt. It was hard and it took about a year!

Q: How long have you been training in martial arts? Max: 4 years now.

Q: What has been your proudest moment in martial arts so far? Max: Getting third place at the World Games in Daytona 2023!

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do outside of Team Georgia? Max: Hanging out with my friends and riding bikes.

Q: What’s your favorite animal? Max: Probably a panda.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Max: Iceland!

Q: Are you excited about traveling to Norway with Team Georgia? Max: Yes I’m pretty excited, and a little bit nervous though.

Q: What’s been your favorite fundraiser for Team Georgia? Max: Probably the car wash. 

Q: What would you tell someone who is nervous about trying out for the U.S. Team? Max: Try not to think about it so hard, and just train like nobody’s there. 

Q: Last fun question—how old do you think Coach Bisbee is? Max: 48.

Max is a great example of what hard work, consistency, and a love for the sport can lead to. As he prepares to compete on the international stage in Norway, we’re cheering him on every step of the way!

Our fundraising efforts are key to making dreams like Max’s possible. Every donation and event brings us closer to getting our team to the World Games. Thank you for supporting Team Georgia and helping our young athletes shine on the global stage!