By Takis Triadafillou
Georgia Hassioti is a role model for all young athletes for her dynamic presence both in the martial arts and in their general school education.
Georgia was born on December 10, 2009 in Trikala, Greece. She came to Australia with her family in 2012 at the age of four and they lived in Belmore, Sydney. Georgia is a 10th grade student at Holy Spirit Catholic College in Lakemba. She is a honors student and has been involved in several extracurricular activities including the student council and extracurricular sports such as football and rugby union.
Her parents are Kostas and Penelope and she has two brothers, Zoi and Vassilis. The family is passionate about sports as her father played soccer in Sydney and her mother played basketball in Greece. Vassilis also practices martial arts and Zoe studies economics and politics while working in a well-known law firm.
The Greek Herald spoke to Georgia to find out all about her passion.
Georgia Hassioti. Photo: Delivered.
Georgia, how did you get into martial arts?
When I came to Sydney after a few years, I attended Master Sensei Kostas Papaioannou’s school at The Fight Lab, where I developed my skills with important guidance and training from my Master.
Over time you started winning medals and excelling as an athlete at the championships.
Yes indeed. After perseverance and patience and the right guidance, I began to earn first and second place in various martial arts styles.
How difficult is it to participate in different styles?
Each style has its own technique and strategy. However, everything works if you are in good physical condition and have the appropriate guidance from our instructor, like all athletes.
How many times a week do you train?
I train two hours a day at championship level and of course I also spend hours on my schoolwork.
To what extent do your parents support you in your sporting activities and your academic career?
Undoubtedly, our parents are the pillars and creators of what we have achieved.
When we came to Australia, as with all immigrants, the family’s main goal was to survive and immediately adjust to Australian life. My parents were professionally successful and enabled us to develop into very good students and athletes. Support for all our movements, whether doing sports or as a student. Being athletes themselves, they know how important it is to support their children. They are always at our side with very discreet interventions for our development.
How many medals have you won at the Australian Championships?
I’m a three-time Australian Champion in three different categories and also compete on the Australian National Sambo Team where I take first place. I’ve won over 30 different trophies and medals with hard work and pride while only competing in 12 tournaments and I’m proud to represent Australia at the World Championships in America this July.
When will the next championships take place?
I will be attending the World Championships in America and then from Friday 20th October to Sunday 22nd October we have the very important International Sport Karate Association World Cup in Sydney.
Of course my participation will depend on the results I bring in at the Championships and from there the selection for the Australian national team will be made.
