Andrija Jagodić is a boy who, at just 12 years old, can already boast more than 300 medals in two different sports. A multiple national karate champion, a member of the Bitević Team Karate Club, a successful basketball player for Partizan, and at the same time a Serbian national team representative in two disciplines.
Andrija’s parents are former athletes — a handball player and a volleyball player — who taught him discipline and hard work from the age of six. As a result, six years later, Andrija proudly wears Serbia’s crest both on his karate gi and on his basketball jersey.
“I’ve been training karate since I was six years old. I started because my parents wanted me to learn how to defend myself in all situations. I only started playing basketball a year and a half ago, and I’ve already been called up to the Serbian national team. I began spending more time outside with my friends, and that’s when I fell in love with the sport. I asked my parents if I could train in both sports, and we made it work,” Andrija said.
However, financing two demanding sports is the biggest challenge.
“My dad works on a cruise ship in America. If he didn’t work there, honestly, I don’t know if I’d be able to compete in two sports — I’d probably only be able to do one, and even that would be difficult. That’s why he works on cruise ships for three months at a time and then spends two months here, helping us financially. While he’s away, my mom drives me around and helps me, and of course my grandmother steps in whenever my mom can’t.”
Although most elementary school boys choose football or basketball, karate completely captivated him. He initially practiced kata, a form often described as “acting in karate,” before moving on to sparring, which he enjoyed much more because of the contact and intensity.
“The speed, the dynamism of it all… It’s a powerful sport. Through that speed, I developed reflexes that also helped me in basketball.”
Growing Up Between Training Sessions and Straight-A Grades
The decision to pursue two extremely demanding sports simultaneously came with tremendous support from his parents. They enrolled him in Partizan’s basketball program, and as the number of training sessions increased, the time available for typical childhood activities decreased. Still, Andrija does not see it as a sacrifice.
“Honestly, I don’t feel like I’m missing out on much because training basketball and karate makes me happy. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t truly want to. Also, the reason I’m an excellent student with a perfect 5.00 GPA is because I want to excel in everything. Everything I do comes from genuine happiness, not because I have to.”
His daily schedule requires military-like discipline. Most days he has two training sessions — basketball or individual karate training in the morning, followed by homework, school, and another basketball practice in the evening. He usually studies between training sessions, on weekends, or during the rare free days he has. Fortunately, his school is highly supportive of his sporting achievements.
“My teachers really try to help me in every way, especially my homeroom teacher. Every absence is excused. The other teachers agree with that, so I really don’t have any problems. Sometimes my friends get a little upset because I don’t have much time to hang out. They’re not very happy when they invite me somewhere and I can’t go because of training and studying.”
The Serbian Champion’s Mentality
For a boy who has more than 150 gold medals at home, success never becomes routine. He knows there is no room for complacency because the competition never sleeps. Whether it is a small tournament or a major championship, he always competes to win. Still, one challenge stands above all others.
“By far the toughest competition is the Balkan Championship. There are a lot of kids there — around 30 in my category — and it’s very difficult because you compete against opponents you’ve never faced before. It can be much harder because you enter the match unprepared and anything can happen.”
He added that he prepares for such matches by specifically training speed and reaction time with his coaches, Bitević and Tešanović.
Representing Serbia is the highest honor for him.
“It’s a huge honor to be number one for your entire country. It gives me even more motivation.”
A Partizan Jersey, but a Red Star Heart
His talent is equally evident on the basketball court, as shown by a third-place finish at the Final Four during his first competitive season with Partizan. His basketball coach, Bojan, also recognized Andrija’s potential in karate and wholeheartedly supported him in continuing both sports, giving him significant playing time despite occasional absences. Still, the moment of choosing between the two sports is inevitable.
“I’ll definitely have to choose eventually because I won’t be able to continue both forever. I’ll be older, school will become more demanding, I’ll have even more training sessions, and I’ll need to dedicate myself more fully to one sport.”
Interestingly, his club allegiance differs from his family loyalty. Although he delivers outstanding performances in Partizan’s black-and-white jersey, his affection for their biggest rival is a family tradition.
“I support Red Star. My whole family supports Red Star, but when I play for Partizan against Red Star, of course I give my maximum for the team I’m playing for.”
As for the future, his plans are clear — a private sports high school, college in the United States, and fulfilling his childhood dreams: playing for Red Star and later reaching the NBA.
Finally, aware that he already represents one of Serbia’s brightest young sporting hopes, Andrija was asked whether the country might one day welcome him on the famous champions’ balcony in Belgrade.
“Yes! I’ll do my best to make that happen, especially because I have enormous motivation whenever I compete for my country,” Andrija concluded confidently.
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Source: Sportal.rs, Foto: Sportal.rs