Steven Lopez
World Ranking as of 10/1/09: T-6th (welterweight)
See Steven Lopez's Access Hollywood Interview
Likes to read self-help books, listening to all kinds of music, dancing and playing other sports...older brother, Jean, is a two-time Pan American Champion and a silver medalist at the world championships. He is currently U.S. National Team head coach and 2008 U.S. Olympic Team head coach...younger brother, Mark, and younger sister, Diana, are also National Team members and 2005 world champions...favorite foods are his mother's home cooking, Chili's molten chocolate cake, and Vietnamese cuisine...the day before a competition he eats chicken with rice and veggies, then the day of competition he usually eats peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a piece of fruit...favorite athlete is Muhammad Ali...favorite movies are Braveheart and Forrest Gump...enjoys Latin music and hip hop...lists Croatia as his favorite country visited for competition.
Awards:
-Named in the 100 Influentials of 2008 by HispanicBusiness.com
Did You Know?
. Won his fourth consecutive World Championships title at the 2007 World Taekwondo Championships in Beijing.
· All of his siblings are at the world elite level: Jean, Mark and Diana. Steven, Mark and Diana made history when they each won gold at the 2005 World Taekwondo Championships, becoming the first three siblings in any sport to claim World Championship titles at the same event.
· His coach is his older brother Jean.
. Named 2005 USA Taekwondo Male Co-Athlete of the Year along with brother Mark.
· Dreams of all his siblings being on the same Olympic Team.
· Biggest motivation is watching his siblings and wanting to follow in his older brother Jean's footsteps.
· Began taekwondo at age five when his brother Jean started. They used to train in the family's garage.
Competition Record:
2009 World Taekwondo Championships (Welter): GOLD
2009 U.S. National Team Member (Welter)
2009 U.S. National Team Trials (Welter): 1st
2008 U.S. Olympic Team Member (Light/Welter)
2008 Olympic Games (Light/Welter): BRONZE
2007 U.S. National Team Member (Welter)
2007 World Olympic Qualifier (Light/Welter): Qualified
2007 Olympic Trials (Light/Welter): 1st
2007 World Taekwondo Championships (Welter): GOLD
2007 Sr. National Team Trials (Welter): 1st
2006 U.S. National Team Member (Welter)
2006 Sr. National Team Trials (Welter): 1st
2005 U.S. National Team Member (Welter)
2005 U.S. Olympic Committee Male Athlete of the Month (April)
2005 World Taekwondo Championships (Welter): GOLD
2005 Sullivan Award Finalist
2004 U.S. Olympic Team Member
2004 Olympic Games: GOLD
2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: GOLD
2004 Sullivan Award Finalist
2003 U.S. National Team Member
2003 World Taekwondo Championships: GOLD
2003 Pan American Games: GOLD
2003 Sullivan Award Finalist
2002 World Cup: BRONZE
2001 U.S. National Team Member
2001 World Taekwondo Championships: GOLD
2000 U.S. Olympic Team Member
2000 Olympic Games: GOLD
1999 Pan American Games Team Member
1999 Pan American Games: GOLD
1999 Pan American Regional Olympic Qualifier: SILVER
1998 World Cup Taekwondo Championships: BRONZE
1998 Pan Am Championships: GOLD
1997 World Cup Taekwondo Championships: GOLD
1996 U.S. Junior National Team Member
1996 Junior World Championships: GOLD
1996 Pan Am Championships: GOLD
1994 World Cup Taekwondo Championships: BRONZE
1994 Pan Am Championships: SILVER
last updated 10/16/09
