March Athlete Spotlight

For our March athlete spotlight, we are proud to introduce you to John Paul Eberly! John Paul is a passionate and hardworking martial artist who has been training for years to sharpen his skills. His dedication to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and his commitment to constant improvement set him apart as a strong competitor on Team Georgia.

As he prepares to take on new challenges, including competing internationally in Norway, John Paul continues to push himself toward his goals. We had the chance to talk with him to learn more about his martial arts journey, his proudest moments, and what drives him to keep striving for success.

John Paul Eberly

Our Interview with John Paul

Q: What school do you attend?  St. Simons Christian School (SSCS).

Q: How old are you?  8 years old.

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?  An engineer!

Q: What martial art do you practice with Team Georgia? Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).

Q: What’s your favorite thing about BJJ?  I like the fighting and rolling.

Q: Is there a specific goal you’re currently focused on in your training? Get the gold medal! I’d also like to get better at memorizing the positions.

Q: What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome in martial arts?  Fighting an orange belt was really hard for me. I’ve also struggled with tests—I feel really nervous sometimes, so I want to get better at handling them.

Q: How long have you been training in martial arts?  I have been training for about five years.

Q: What has been your proudest moment in martial arts so far?  Getting my first choke-out in a tournament! Also, one time I won by 13 points, and that felt really good.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do outside of Team Georgia?  I love arts and crafts! I really enjoy making art.

Q: What’s your favorite animal? Dogs and cats!

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I'd go to Africa.

Q: Are you excited about traveling to Norway with Team Georgia? I am VERY excited!!

Q: What’s been your favorite fundraiser for Team Georgia? Handing out flyers at First Friday.

Q: What would you tell someone who is nervous about trying out for the U.S. Team? It’s a very good curriculum, and we’re competing internationally in Norway. It’s okay—the training is tough, but it’s for your own good.

Q: Last fun question—how old do you think Coach Bisbee is? I think he's around 30-35!

John Paul’s journey in martial arts is a testament to his dedication, resilience, and passion for the sport. As he continues to grow and refine his skills, he is setting his sights on an incredible opportunity—the World Games in Norway. Competing at this level is no small feat, and it takes the support of our community to help these talented athletes get there. Through fundraising events and generous contributions, we can ensure that John Paul and his teammates have the chance to represent Team USA on the world stage. We’re so proud of his hard work and can’t wait to see him take on this next challenge!