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Dedicated to Kids in the Martial Arts

Austin Crain

           Austin Crain is 9 years old, and is certainly one of the top, youth martial arts competitors today!   In fact, Austin has only been in martial arts for 3 ½ years, and he has only competed on the prestigious NASKA circuit for the last 2 years.  In this time, however, Austin Crain has set aside every obstacle, and, in his very first year, ranked #1 in the nation in overall 9 & under, underbelt, creative/extreme forms.  

In his second year (2004 is his first year as a black belt), he will end up 2^nd in 9 & under black belt creative forms.    Even though Austin often competes against competitors much older than himself and twice his size (13 & under BB Extreme Forms and Weapons), he never lets the odds hold him back, often coming in 3^rd and 4^th in these very difficult divisions.

            From the very beginning, Austin quickly realized that he would need to work twice as hard as everyone else to achieve the same goals, especially if he wanted to compete on a national level and win.  

In 2003, he was noticed by world champion martial artist, Kalman Csoka, who offered to work with him in both forms and weapons training.  Under Mr. Csoka’s training, Austin quickly found his talent…extreme martial arts.  

He began studying gymnastics with national trainer, Philip Adams, and went from simple cartwheels and aerials to difficult tricks such as full twists, flash kicks, hyper rolls, raises, gainer fulls, and even, most recently double full twists. 

Incorporating these moves into his weapons and open hand forms, he soon became the top competitor in his advanced belt divisions.  

Austin has taken first place in every national and world tournament on the circuit he went to in 2003, and achieved the title of 2003 NASKA National Champion.  Austin now competes in the black belt divisions on the NASKA world tour and represents his sponsor Elite Tactical Sources on ETS National Competition Team. 

             But, it is not what he does on the competition floor that gives him the greatest feeling of accomplishment.   Austin and his older brother, Hunter, both donate their time to go into the inner city Atlanta schools to do demonstrations and talk with kids about setting goals and having confidence in themselves to make the right choices in life.   They love talking with the kids, and sharing their experiences of winning and losing, and how you can learn from both to become a better person.  Additionally, Austin joined with karate kickboxing champion and actor, Keith Vitali, in a video promoting martial arts and its positive impact on children. 

            Austin is proud of his accomplishments in the martial arts, and has many trophies in his home to show for it, but as he humbly tells everyone, “I’m just thankful for Kalman Csoka, who has been my greatest martial arts mentor, and all the many others, including Virginia Csoka, Jon Boyd, Arturo Espina, and Mike Cifre (just to name a few), who have given me many wonderful opportunities, and have shared their time and training with me.  I want to help others see possibilities in their life, and help them reach their potential.”

            You can visit Austin, and Team ETS, on their website at www.elitetacticalsources.com; click on Team ETS.