Meet Andy: Right moves for a Physio career

Andy Kim knows a thing or two about the power of the human body.

He is an international Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) competitor and a current University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) Physiotherapy student.

Having trained in BJJ for more than a decade and competed in national and international competitions, Mr Kim recently placed second in the 2024 IBJJF Asian Open Brown Belt Medium Heavy (88.3kg) division.

We sat down with him to learn about his life and how UniSQ has supported him to accomplish his goals in and out of the ring.

What got you into Jiu Jitsu?

In high school, I loved watching UFC and always wanted to practice martial arts to build confidence and maintain my fitness. I was particularly fascinated by the idea that smaller individuals could win matches against bigger and stronger opponents by focusing on techniques, understanding body leverage, and maintaining good positional awareness.

Why did you decide to study Physiotherapy?

During my Jiu Jitsu career, I have experienced many injuries and had the pleasure of working with some amazing physiotherapists. Their professionalism and patient-centered care inspired me to help people dealing with sports-related injuries. Now, I am studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) full-time at UniSQ and loving every moment!

Why did you choose to study at UniSQ?

I chose UniSQ because of its high reputation and well-rounded study programs for both local and international students. When I learned about UniSQ's Physiotherapy program, I applied immediately and was accepted. The Physiotherapy program is very challenging, but I am doing my best to make the most of this amazing opportunity.

What does it mean for you to be accepted into the UniSQ Elite Athlete Program?

It is a huge honour to be selected as a UniSQ Elite Athlete Student, and I will do my absolute best to be a great ambassador for UniSQ both on and off the Jiu Jitsu mat.

What’s your advice to students in professional sports who are considering studying

I think the best advice would be to give it a go. The sky's the limit! It is challenging to stay on top of your studies while maintaining peak athletic performance, but you can do it 100% as long as you have the right mindset and manage your time wisely, juggling both study and training. Nothing comes easy in life as we all need to work hard for what we want to achieve... So, let's embrace the journey!

And finally, can you tell us about some of your most significant accomplishments so far?

Some of my big achievements include being a two-time Queensland State Champion in the Blue Belt and Purple Belt divisions and I’ll soon be competing in the Brown Belt Division as I'm looking forward to snatching the third Queensland State title. I also placed third in the AFBJJ Aus Nationals for two consecutive years in the Purple Belt division.

Do you compete, coach, or officiate sport at a high level? Learn more about the Elite Athlete Program and the scholarships on offer.