Taekwondo at the Olympic & Paralympic Games

Taekwondo made its debut as an official Olympic sport at the Sydney 2000 Summer Games. Its inclusion was the result of efforts by World Taekwondo to globalise the sport and showcase its athletic and cultural significance.

Para-taekwondo was introduced to the Paralympic Games at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, marking a significant milestone for the sport and the Paralympic movement. The inclusion of para-taekwondo reflects the commitment to provide athletes with impairments an opportunity to compete at the highest level.

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Leon Sejranovic

Notorious Martial Arts

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Stacey Hymer

Notorious Martial Arts

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Bailey Lewis

City West Taekwondo

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Taekwondo in Paris

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Taekwondo Olympic & Paralympic Medallists

Lauren Burns OLY

2000 Olympic Games

Daniel Trenton OLY

2000 Olympic Games

Janine Watson PLY

2020 Paralympic Games

Taekwondo Olympians & Paralympians

Burak Hasan

Burak Hasan

Beijing 2008 (-68 kg)

Growing up with a taekwondo instructor for a father, Burak's taekwondo journey began virtually immediately. From his early steps, he displayed remarkable talent, clinching an impressive 13 state titles from 1994 to 2004, along with five national titles spanning 2002 to 2005. Despite his stellar record, Hasan faced disappointment in 2004 when he narrowly missed out on selection for the Athens Olympic Team. Undeterred, Hasan redirected his efforts towards Beijing, immersing himself in training camps alongside the Korean National Team. His perseverance paid off when he secured a bronze at the Olympic Qualifiers in 2007, earning him a coveted spot in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Team.

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Carlo Massimino

Carlo Massimino

Sydney 2000 (-68 kg), Athens 2004 (-68 kg)

Dual Olympian, Carlo Massimino, is one of the most highly decorated athletes in the history of taekwondo in Australia. The internationally certified 6th Dan Kukkiwon Black Belt, who competed in the men's featherweight category, won multiple World and European titles throughout a glittering career. He represented his country at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games, reaching the quarter-final stage of both events. In between those impressive achievements, Massimino captured a bronze medal in the -67 kg division at the 2002 Asian Taekwondo Championships in Amman, Jordan. He has since forged a highly successful taekwondo coaching career.

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Carmen Marton

Carmen Marton

Beijing 2008 (+67), London 2012 (+67), Rio 2016 (+67)

Carmen Marton's taekwondo journey began with a golden triumph at the Korean Open in 2000, marking her debut on the international stage. Over the years, she clinched silver medals at prestigious events like the Junior Asian Championships and the World Cup. Despite initial setbacks, including a near-miss for the Athens Olympics, Marton's determination only grew stronger. In 2005, she secured a bronze at the World Championships, foreshadowing her rise. Marton's resilience shone brightly at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, where she reached the quarter-finals. Her story continued with historic moments, including becoming Australia's first taekwondo world champion in 2013.

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Caroline Anderson

Caroline Anderson

Athens 2004 (-57 kg)

A late bloomer by martial arts standards – she was already well into high school before joining her first class – Caroline Anderson instantly became hooked on taekwondo. And it wasn’t long before she was competing at local, national and world championships. In 2004, she represented Australia at the Athens Olympics. For the past 15 years, Anderson has been working as a psychologist in a variety of settings. In 2015, she founded Performance Edge Psychology, working with athletes, coaches, schools and businesses to teach mindfulness techniques that increase resilience under pressure and help individuals and teams perform more consistently.

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Caroline Marton

Caroline Marton

Rio 2016 (-57kg)

Despite a heart-wrenching setback during her London 2012 qualification bid, Caroline Marton's Olympic dream sparkled again at Rio 2016. Determined not to let past disappointments dim her spirit, Marton embarked on a journey of resilience, relocating from Melbourne to Sydney in 2015 to train alongside her sister Carmen. The decision bore fruit swiftly, with Marton's vibrant performances earning her accolades like reaching the third round of the World Championships and clinching gold at the Pacific Games. Her unwavering determination secured her a spot at the Rio Olympics, where she competed in the -57kg division.

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Cynthia Cameron (WA)

Cynthia Cameron (WA)

Sydney 2000 (-57 kg)

Born in Perth in 1980, six-times National Champion, Cynthia Cameron, was competing (and winning) at the highest levels of taekwondo as a teenager. In 1994, she launched her stellar international career by claiming titles in Malaysia and Singapore. Cameron subsequently won medals at the Commonwealth Championships, Dutch Open, Spanish Open, Canadian Open and English Open Championships, among other major events, and was a member of the Sydney 2000 Olympic team.

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Daniel Trenton

Daniel Trenton

Sydney 2000 (+80kg), Athens 2004 (-80kg)

Daniel Trenton secured the silver medal in men's heavyweight (+80 kg) taekwondo at its Olympic debut in Sydney 2000. Dominating his three preliminary bouts, Trenton faced a defeat in the final against Kim Kyong-Hun of Korea. In Athens 2004, he competed in the -80 kg division but was eliminated in the preliminaries. Trenton's involvement extended beyond competition; at the Athens Games, he served a four-year term on the AOC Athletes’ Commission. In 2008, he took on the role of the Australian head coach at the Beijing Games.

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Hayder Shkara

Hayder Shkara

Rio 2016 (-80 kg)

Hayder Shkara debuted at the Rio 2016 Olympics after narrowly missing out on qualifying for London 2012. He clinched victory in the -80kg division at the Oceania Olympic Qualification Tournament, defeating Vaughn Scott whom he had lost to four years prior. This success followed a string of achievements, including bronze medals at the 2015 Polish, Russian, and Serbian Opens, and a gold at the Pacific Games in the same year. Despite losing 14-0 to Lutalo Muhammed in the first round, Shkara fought in the repechage against Steven Lopez. Despite a scoreless match, Lopez won due to more non-scoring hits.

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Jack Marton

Jack Marton

Tokyo 2020 (-80 kg)

Jack Marton comes from a family deeply rooted in Taekwondo, with his siblings Carmen Marton and Caroline Marton excelling in the sport. Marton made his Olympic debut in Tokyo in 2021. He clinched gold at the 2015 and 2019 Pacific Games, demonstrating his international prowess. Marton reached the quarterfinals at the 2019 Taekwondo World Championships, narrowly losing to Kazakhstan's Kairat Sarymsakov. This success fueled his confidence for the 2020 Oceania Olympic Games qualification, where he secured a spot in the Men's Middleweight Tokyo competition.

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Janine Watson

Janine Watson

Tokyo 2020 (+58 kg)

Janine Watson was Australia's first taekwondo Paralympian and a bronze medalist in the women's +58 kg event at the 2020 Summer Paralympics. A former wheelchair tennis champion, Janine grew up in rural Queensland and excelled in sports. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at 25, she began taekwondo and quickly achieved success, winning gold in Poomsae at three consecutive World Taekwondo Championships between 2015 and 2019. In 2018, neurological impairments were included in para-taekwondo sparring, leading to her bronze medal in Korea. Janine made history in Tokyo 2020, winning Australia’s first Para-taekwondo medal.

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Lauren Burns

Lauren Burns

Sydney 2000 (-49 kg)

At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Lauren Burns made history as Australia's inaugural taekwondo champion, marking a significant milestone in a sport deeply rooted in ancient Korean martial arts. Despite her unconventional upbringing in a family involved in showbiz, Burns stumbled upon taekwondo at the age of 14, surprising her family with her unwavering commitment. Prioritising determination over innate ability, she trained under coach Jin Jae Jeong in Korea, temporarily setting aside her studies in natural medicine to prepare for the Olympics. With a strong sense of self-assurance, Burns faced opponents with the mindset that physical attributes aside, victory lies in mental fortitude. Shedding weight for her matches, she secured victory in the final against Cuba's Urbia Melendez Rodriguez. Prior to her Olympic success, Burns earned bronze at the 1997 World Championships and gold at the 1999 US Open, followed by silver in 2000.

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Lisa O'Keefe

Lisa O'Keefe

Sydney 2000 (-67 kg)

Lisa O'Keefe, hailing from Warrnambool in Victoria, is a distinguished taekwondo athlete. Her journey peaked at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, where she showcased her skills on the global stage. Notably, O'Keefe secured a bronze medal in the lightweight category at the 1999 World Taekwondo Championships, though she faced defeat against Cho Hyang-mi in the semifinal bout. Before her remarkable Olympic achievement, O'Keefe's prowess shone through with three bronze medals at the World Cup, spanning from 1996 to 2000. Her dedication and perseverance solidify her status as a celebrated figure in the realm of taekwondo.

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Paul Lyons (dec.)

Paul Lyons (dec.)

Barcelona 1992, Sydney 2000

Paul Lyons was an outstanding Australian taekwondo practitioner who competed at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, where taekwondo was a demonstration sport, and again eight years later in the medal events of the flyweight division at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. He was later appointed National Junior Development Coach for Taekwondo and was the head coach of a martial arts school in Melbourne.

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Reba Stewart

Reba Stewart

Tokyo 2020 (+67 kg)

After starting Taekwondo at the age of 12, Reba Stewart rose swiftly through the national junior heavyweight ranks. Five years later, she clinched gold at the Sofia Open, triumphing over Markella Bakogeorgou from Greece. In 2019, at the Taekwondo World Championships, the then 17-year-old reached the last 16, impressing many in her senior debut, narrowly losing to eventual silver medallist Zheng Shuyin. This experience, coupled with intense training in Jordan, prepared her for the senior heavyweight division. Awarded a tier-two scholarship by the Australian Sport Hall of Fame in 2020, Reba focused on Olympic aspirations and a berth on the team for Tokyo in 2020.

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Ryan Carneli

Ryan Carneli

Beijing 2008 (-58 kg)

Ryan Carneli ventured into the Olympic arena for the first time during the 2008 Beijing Games. Initially drawn to professional golfing with a commendable handicap of 12 in 2005, Carneli redirected his focus towards taekwondo. His dedication bore fruit when he secured a silver medal at the World Cup in 2006. Transitioning to the grand stage of the Beijing Olympics, Carneli advanced to the second round, showcasing his skill and determination on an international platform. This journey epitomises Carneli's versatility and resilience as an athlete, transitioning from one sport to another with remarkable success.

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Safwan Khalil

Safwan Khalil

London 2012 (-58 kg), Rio 2016 (-58 kg), Tokyo 2020 (-58 kg).

Safwan Khalil's journey in martial arts began in suburban Sydney, inspired by Hollywood kung-fu movies. He quickly excelled in taekwondo, making his mark on the national and international stage. Khalil's ascent was swift, debuting at the World Youth Championships in 2002 and claiming victory at the Asian Youth Championships a year later. Transitioning to senior competitions, he impressed at the 2005 World Championships. In 2011, Khalil secured Australia's first gold at a major event, the World Universiade. Despite facing setbacks at the London and Rio Olympics, he continued to excel, securing a spot in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Coached by his brother Ali, Khalil remains dedicated to training and mentoring at Global Martial Arts in southwest Sydney.

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Stacey Hymer

Stacey Hymer

Tokyo 2020 (-57 kg), Paris 2024 (-57kg)

Stacey Hymer's sporting journey kicked off at age 4, embracing taekwondo under family influence. Balancing martial arts with a vibrant Australian childhood of football, softball, and athletics, she thrived in both realms. Transitioning to a sparring-focused club, Hymer's national successes propelled her to international stages, clinching gold at the 2016 National Championships. Further triumphs in Canada and Tahiti solidified her status in the featherweight division. Selected for Australia's High-Performance Hub in 2018, Hymer honed her skills under national coaching, eyeing an Olympic debut in Tokyo. Securing qualification in 2020, she remained dedicated to martial arts growth, offering mentorship and support. Despite a loss to Canadian Skylar Park in the Round of 16, Hymer's Olympic journey exemplified her resilience and commitment.

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Tina Tanrikulu

Tina Tanrikulu

Athens 2004 (+67), Beijing 2008 (+67)

Tina Tanrikulu was inspired to take up taekwondo at the age of 12 after watching her brother training at the local gym. A decade later, she represented Australia at the Athens 2004 Olympics. Then, at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, she placed an impressive fifth, despite sustaining a major knee injury less than a year before Olympic Qualifications. Her hopes of fighting for a gold medal were dashed when she lost a third-round match to Canadian Karine Sergerie on decision. In 2006, Tanrikulu became the first Australian taekwondo competitor to win a World Cup title, and be ranked number one in the world in her division.

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Warren Hansen

Warren Hansen

Sydney 2000 (-80 kg)

Warren Hansen, a 7th Dan Black Belt, competed in 12 international tournaments – with a record of 11 wins in 20 registered fights – including the men's 80 kg event at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. He won a bronze medal at the 1999 Germany World Cup and a gold medal at the 1999 US Open Championship. Hansen also spent 10 years as the undefeated National Middleweight Champion.

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Taekwondo at the Olympic & Paralympic Coaches

Since 2000, the invaluable contributions of our coaches have been instrumental in the success of Australia's Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Home coaches, head coaches, support coaches, and national coaches have all played pivotal roles in athlete development and triumphs. However, it's important to recognise that only a select few have had the honour of being in the coaches box at the Games.

Many coaches in the Australian Taekwondo community have some level of association with the Olympics and Paralympics, either as a home coach, head coach, team member or accredited support staff. The coaches listed are those nominated, at the time, to the Australian Olympic Committee as Taekwondo's National Technical Coach.

Jin Tae Jeong

Sydney 2000, Athens 2004

Daniel Trenton

Beijing 2008

Ali Khalil

London 2012

Alf Dell’orso

Rio 2016

Karim Dighou

Tokyo 2020

Ben Hartmann

Tokyo 2020 (para)

Seokhun Lee

Paris 2024

Please note: Historical information on athletes, coaches, and clubs prior to 2015 is limited due to an absence of record-keeping by previous STA management. If you find incorrect information on this page and are willing to work with us to correct this, please email us.

If you are a former athlete or coach and would like to contribute a head shot or additional information about your Taekwondo history, please email us to access a media profile form so we can ensure we have accurate information on file for future generations.