LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The U.S. Open Taekwondo Championships is underway at the Westgate in Las Vegas, drawing competitors from around the world and featuring members of the U.S. National Team who say they are using the event to build toward the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Among the competitors is Las Vegas native and 2024 Olympian Faith Dillon, who said competing on home turf carries personal meaning.
“My family, my friends get to come and watch, come support, and really see what I do in person, which is really awesome,” Dillon said.
Dillon reflects on Paris, looks ahead to LA
Dillon competed in sparring at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. She said the full weight of that experience took time to appreciate.
“I think in the moment, I didn’t realize how amazing it was because of all the pressures and all the stress,” Dillon said. “But now, coming out of it, it’s such a blessing.”
She said her focus has already shifted to the 2028 Games and the athletes she hopes to inspire along the way.
“I think I want to be an inspiration to athletes all over — little girls that don’t think they’ll make it to the Olympics or give up a little too early,” Dillon said. “Because that was me, maybe seven years ago. And now I’m an Olympian working towards my next Olympics.”
Head coach: tournament is first step in two-year Olympic build
U.S. National Team head coach Gareth Brown said the U.S. Open is the most important open event on the team’s calendar and marks the start of a critical stretch leading to LA 2028.
“It’s our first one this calendar year,” Brown said. “We’re going to go into a two-year block now where Olympic ranking points and credibility and gaining confidence is key in the build-up to LA for 2028. Plus it’s the most prestigious open event that we have on the calendar. And it’s our home event.”
Brown said the team has built a full-time training program to keep U.S. athletes competitive on the world stage.
“We created a full-time training programme and a structure and a system to fund the athletes, support the athletes and give them everything they need to be able to compete with the rest of the world that already had those structures in place,” he said.
The U.S. National Team said its goals include expanding the team in the coming years and growing the sport’s popularity in the United States. The championship is scheduled to conclude Sunday.
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