ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A former karate Olympian is passing on his knowledge for the next generation.

What You Need To Know

  • Former karate Olympian Elvis Ramic, alongside his sister and girlfriend, have decided to open their own dojo doors

  • Ramic Martial Arts is now open in St. Pete, with Ramic being one of a few senseis at the dojo

  • Aside from winning medals, it's a new challenge Ramic and his sister, Sabina, wanted to tackle

After representing Team USA at the highest level, Elvis Ramic and his girlfriend have decided to open their own dojo doors. It’s a passion that goes beyond the sport.

“For me, it’s not a sport anymore,” he said. “I’ve learned as I became older and kind of saw it more, it really is, as they say, a way of life.”

Since an early age, karate has been a central part of Ramic’s life. But being a sensei and owning his own dojo is something he’s still getting used to.

“This was my ultimate goal, so I could be the one to bring out the new generation and, possibly, maybe even bring up an Olympian if karate gets put back in the Olympics again,” Ramic said.

Getting to that goal has taken a lifetime with plenty of kimonos to show for it. Ramic’s passion for the sport has taken him to the highest of levels: representing Team USA as an Olympian.

Opening a dojo is his next challenge — an experience he’s been able to share with his girlfriend, Chantal.

“Given my Bosnian roots, there’s a huge Bosnian community here in Clearwater and St. Pete,” said Ramic. “It’s just one of the hubs for when everybody traveled from the war and over to this country. I just want to bring karate and help support that hub.”

Community has been key, but family has played a huge role as well. As his sister, Sabina, is also a sensei and co-owner of the dojo. The two of them now coaching under the same roof.

“We felt that we could make a change in the community, even if it’s just one kid at a time, and eventually, we might make a large enough change that we may be able to do something good here,” said Sabina.

Like her brother, Sabina is also an Olympian, with numerous medals between the two of them.

“Really seeing that level, it’s really just made me want to train more and made me be a better athlete and a better competitor,” she said.

But aside from the medals, there’s something new to earn for these now senseis.

“Like I always say, I want to help raise both students and athletes to be better than me,” said Ramic. “Whether it’s a better person, more so that than anything, but even a better athlete than me.”

A fresh challenge that is giving them continued passion for what they do.