Joel Westbrook, an 18-year-old student at Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC), has made history as the first male wheelchair athlete named to the U.S. Para-Karate Team. He will compete in the Para-Karate division of the 2025 Karate World Championships in Cairo, Egypt, this November.
Westbrook, who resides in Rossville, is pursuing an associate degree in Social Work Assistant through GNTC’s online program and is expected to graduate in December. In addition to his academic work, he has distinguished himself in the world of adaptive sports — particularly para-karate.
His karate journey began at age nine, inspired by a television character who practiced martial arts from a wheelchair. That moment sparked a lifelong passion that eventually led him to Green’s Karate in East Ridge, Tennessee, where instructors worked with him to adapt traditional karate techniques to his abilities.
Since then, Westbrook has earned 41 gold medals and a trophy from competitions at the local, regional, national, and international levels. In July, he won gold in the Elite Division at the 2025 Karate National Championships — a qualifying track for athletes aspiring to represent the U.S. in global events.
Westbrook is also highly active in other adaptive sports and fitness. His accomplishments include adaptive baseball, snow skiing in Utah, and a personal record deadlift of 410 pounds. He works out regularly at the gym and plans to try water skiing soon.
His academic and athletic pursuits are supported by GNTC’s Youth Success Academy and the Individual Training Account (ITA) program, which helps eligible students with tuition, supplies, transportation, and other educational expenses. Westbrook credits the program with keeping him focused and on track, especially as he balances training and coursework.
Despite facing medical challenges — including emergency brain surgery in late 2024 — Westbrook has remained committed to his education. GNTC’s Accessibility Services provided the accommodations he needed to continue his studies while recovering.
His drive to help others is at the core of his career goals. Westbrook plans to continue his education after graduating from GNTC and hopes to work in a hospital setting. His personal experiences with healthcare professionals, particularly child life specialists during numerous surgeries, inspired him to pursue a career in social work.
Westbrook has also volunteered at a local hospital and interned with the Downtown Family YMCA in Chattanooga, where he worked with adaptive programs. His contributions earned him Volunteer of the Year honors from the Miracle League of Chattanooga, an inclusive baseball program.
This fall, he will complete additional internship hours with an elementary school counselor as he prepares for graduation.
To follow Westbrook’s journey as he trains for competitions in Egypt and Peru, visit https://www.facebook.com/people/IKnowJoel/61578684274585/.
For more information about GNTC’s Youth Success Academy and ITA program, visit www.gntc.edu/youth-success-academy
