Olympics: Taekwondo fighter hopes to improve on her 2012 Bronze Medal

Paige McPherson

Filipino/African/American

Sport: Taekwondo
Discipline(s): Taekwondo, Sparring Taekwondo
Weight Class: 67kg
Height: 5-8
Weight: 140 lbs.
DOB: 10/1/1990
Birthplace: Abilene, Texas
Hometown: Sturgis, S.D.
High School: Black Hills Classical Christian Academy
College: Miami-Dade College
Olympic Experience: London 2012 Olympic Games, bronze (-67kg)
Personal: Her nickname is "McFierce." Enjoys going to the beach, shopping, and going to the movies...Hobbies include dance, snowboarding, and volleyball...Favorite foods are Asian food, her mom's cooking, and cheeseburgers...Was adopted when she was four days old.

Quote: "My brother is from Korea. My little sister is from St. Lucia. I'm Filipino and African/American, (and her parents recently adopted two Native American children) so we are all around the world. I've never lived with anyone that is the same like me, so it's practically normal for me to be around people with different personalities."

McPherson will start her competition Friday, Aug. 19,