Steven López facts for kids
López in 2011
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| Born | November 9, 1978 New York City, New York, U.S. |
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| Height | 6 ft 3 in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 185 lb | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Steven López (born November 9, 1978) is a famous American taekwondo athlete. He has won many big awards. Steven earned a gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics and again at the 2004 Summer Olympics. He also won a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Steven is a 4th Dan in taekwondo, which is a very high rank. He made history by being the first taekwondo fighter to win five World Championships. He won these titles in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2009. With his Olympic and World Championship wins, Steven López is one of the most successful taekwondo champions ever.
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Meet Steven López: Taekwondo Star
Steven López was born on November 9, 1978, in New York City. His parents, Julio and Ondina, moved to the United States from Nicaragua in 1973. His father worked many different jobs to support their family. Later, they moved to Texas.
Steven started learning taekwondo when he was just five years old. His father and older brother, Jean, taught him in their garage. Steven went to Kempner High School in Sugar Land, Texas. He graduated in 1997 and was known as "most likely to succeed." He was also part of the National Honor Society.
Steven's Taekwondo Family
Steven isn't the only taekwondo star in his family! His younger siblings, Mark and Diana, are also top athletes. Their oldest brother, Jean López, is their coach. All three siblings have been members of the USA National Taekwondo Team.
At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Steven, Mark, and Diana all represented the United States. This was a special moment because it was the first time since 1904 that three siblings were on the same Olympic team. In 2005, Steven, Mark, and Diana made sports history again. They all won a world championship title at the same event, with Jean as their coach. Steven and Diana also qualified for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Steven is a Roman Catholic and attends St. Theresa Catholic Church. He has shared that his faith is very important to him.
Steven's Amazing Wins
Steven López has achieved many great things in his taekwondo career. Here are some of his top highlights:
- 2015 Grand Prix: BRONZE medal
- 2015 Pan American Games: BRONZE medal
- 2014 Grand Prix: SILVER medal
- 2014 USA Open: GOLD medal
- 2013 Argentina Open: GOLD medal
- 2009 World Taekwondo Championships (Welter): GOLD medal
- 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics: BRONZE medal
- 2007 World Taekwondo Championships (Welter): GOLD medal
- 2007 Sr. National Team Trials (Welter): 1st place
- 2005 U.S. Olympic Committee Male Athlete of the Month (April)
- 2004 Athens Summer Olympics: GOLD medal
- 2004 US Olympic Team Trials: GOLD medal
- 2003 World Taekwondo Championships: GOLD medal
- 2003 World Taekwondo Qualification Tournament: BRONZE medal
- 2003 Pan American Games: GOLD medal
- 2002 World Cup Taekwondo Championships: BRONZE medal
- 2002 Pan American Games: GOLD medal
- 2001 World Taekwondo Championships: GOLD medal
- 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics: GOLD medal
- 1999 Pan American Games: GOLD medal
- 1999 Pan American Regional Olympic Qualifier: GOLD medal
- 1998 World Cup Taekwondo Championships: BRONZE medal
- 1998 Pan American Taekwondo Championships: GOLD medal
- 1997 World Cup Taekwondo Championships: GOLD medal
- 1996 Pan American Taekwondo Championships: GOLD medal
- 1996 World Junior Taekwondo Championships: GOLD medal
- 1995 Pan American Taekwondo Championships: SILVER medal
- 1994 World Cup Taekwondo Championships: BRONZE medal
- 1993 Jr. Olympic: BRONZE medal
Want to Learn More?
- List of athletes with the most appearances at Olympic Games
