A Q&A with Joel Westbrook who competes in wheelchair karate

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — 

What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?

Joel Westbrook: I want to earn my black belt in karate. When I turn 18 I want to have a spot on Team USA and compete in World Karate Federation events as well as the Paralympics if karate is included. I plan to continue to practice and train.  For Miracle League I want to hit a home run. Not sport related but physically I’ve been working to be able to go thru Fat Man’s Squeeze at Rock City.  Using my crutches I have to go down 45 steps and walk sideways thru the tight part. I’ll be ready as soon as it warms back up.

What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?

Westbrook: The biggest challenge is learning how to adapt the karate moves to something I can do in my wheelchair. I keep practicing until it is as close as I can get it. I’ve been learning to use the bo. That is a challenge to hold the bo and move my wheelchair at the same time.

What was the best advice you were ever given?

Westbrook: Don’t expect to be good at a move until you’ve done it at least 100 times.

What do you love about your sport?

Westbrook: I love winning gold medals! I like training with my friends and seeing friends at competitions around the country. I like celebrating with teammates. USA National Karate Federation Nationals and the US Open are fun because I can see other people in para divisions.

Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?

Westbrook: Pre-competition I try to eat healthy and get a good night’s rest. Right before competition I take a few deep breaths, focus only on what I need to do and block everything else out. After competition, my go to meal is a hot dog!

What do you like to do outside of your sport?

Westbrook: I go to the gym, usually 5 times a week. I’m a big fan of baseball. I put season tickets to the Lookouts on my Christmas list so I’m almost always at the games. I like traveling.  If we go on a trip we usually try to tour a baseball field or go to a game and see former Lookout players. On the trip in December to Las Vegas for the US Open and Jr International Cup we toured the Colorado Rockies stadium, went to Arches National Park, stopped at the Grand Canyon, stood on the corner in Winslow Arizona, spray painted on the cars at Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo and toured Duck Commander.  I’m always ready for an adventure and trying something new.

What has being a member of a team taught you?

Westbrook: I try to encourage teammates because I like it when they encourage me. Training with people who are working toward the same goal.

What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor?

Westbrook: A few years ago I had some seizures. It took a few months to get everything under control and it was getting me down physically and mentally because I couldn’t do what I wanted.  One of the last seizures I had happened after I left karate. We didn’t know why I was having seizures so I was afraid to go back to karate.  I keep in contact with a former Lookout, TJ White.  He knew I was struggling and told me to try to keep a positive mindset and he also told me to try to do something more everyday until I was able to work back up to what was normal. I also always remember TJ telling me he was just going to keep working until he found his place and that’s what I do too. Just keep on working.

Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.

Westbrook: My very first competition I made a wrong turn during my kata. I just went on like nothing happened. Another time the referees did things different than normal. It threw me off and so I wasn’t focused on what I needed to do. Now I just try to make sure no matter what happens before, when I get on the mat all I focus on is doing my best kata.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Westbrook: I’m learning to drive. This is good advice for that from my driving instructor. The other drivers aren’t going to pay your speeding ticket or pay to fix your car after a wreck so watch out for them but do what your supposed to do. I was recently told it looked like I was surrounded by people who really care about me and support me. It’s true, I am.

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