Meet the US Taekwondo team for Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Team USA is on a mission to disrupt the Republic of Korea's dominance in the world of Olympic Taekwondo.

Last month, USA Taekwondo announced the official roster for Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Since Taekwondo reappeared as a full medal sport at Sydney 2000, the Republic of Korea has dominated the Olympic medal table, winning 22 in total; 12 gold, three silver, and seven bronze.

The United States currently ranks third on the all-time medal list with three gold, two silver, and five bronze. Yet, the US remains a consistent force, winning at least one medal at every Olympic Games since Sydney.

Heading toward Paris, Team USA hopes to narrow the gap further, with their hopes on a young, yet impressive team.

• As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes' participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024. Click here to see the official qualification system for each sport.

“I feel like I’m the best in the world”: CJ Nickolas.

Paris 2024 will see Olympic debuts across the board for Team USA.

To kick things off for the men, we have 2023 world silver medallist and three-time Pan American Champion CJ Nickolas. With his world silver medal, the 22-year-old broke a dry spell by winning the first world medal for the U.S. men’s team since 2009. Nickolas was also the first US athlete to earn a quota for Paris 2024 Taekwondo and is currently the highest-ranked US athlete - No. 3 in the men's 80kg (176 lbs) world ranking.

"I genuinely in my heart feel like I'm the best in the world, but it's just a matter of me putting it together on the day and actually believing that once I get on the mat," he told NBC Bay Area in 2023.

The Californian is known for being one of the sport's most exciting athletes to watch, with a huge personality both on and off the mat. Not only does he break records, but he also makes them, having recorded some of his own songs.

The next highest-ranked U.S. man is Jonathan Healy, who competes in the heaviest category for men's taekwondo (+80kg). At a towering height of 6 feet 6 inches (2.5 meters), Healy became Pan American champion in 2019, and silver medalist in 2023. He is currently ranked 12th on the world ranking list and is set to make his Olympic debut at the age of 27.

The last U.S. man to stand on the Olympic taekwondo podium was Terrence Jennings in 2012, who took home a bronze medal in London. Could Nickolas or Jonathan end this medal drought?

Kristina Teachout defeats Tokyo 2020 champion Anastasija Zolotic at the U.S. Trials

The U.S. women on the other hand have enjoyed more success, having won seven of the 10 U.S. Olympic medals in Taekwondo, the last one being gold at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 by Anastasija Zolotic in the 57kg category.

However, 18-year-old Kristina Teachout shocked the Taewondo world at the U.S. Olympic Trials in January, by defeating none other than Olympic Champion Zolotic, who had changed weight classes after Tokyo 2020. Despite the victory, Teachout remained grounded: "(Zolotic’s weight class move) didn’t change anything about my path, because, regardless, when I go in there, I’m not fighting Ana. I’m fighting myself,” Teachout told NBC. “I didn’t win by beating her. I won by beating myself and pushing myself,” she added. With a bronze medal from the 2023 Pan American Games in her collection, Teachout is primed to make her mark on the grandest stage of all.

The 57kg category saw a similar story, with 22-year-old Faith Dillon defeating the 2022 world champion Makayla Greenwood at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Currently ranked No. 9, the Las Vegas-native will make her Olympic debut along with the rest of her teammates. Dillon is especially hopeful for Paris after her victory over Greenwood: "I’ve had some Grand Prix medals, but this is the first step to the ultimate goal to win the Olympics,” she shared.

Looking ahead: Taekwondo at Paris 2024 and beyond

As the US Taekwondo team gears up for Paris 2024, they're not only focused on the present; they're eyeing the future, especially LA 2028. Their goal? To dominate the sport by then, with the Olympics on home turf.

With a young team full of promise, they're determined to keep the US Taekwondo Olympic medal streak alive while laying the groundwork for even greater success down the road.

The Olympic Taekwondo is scheduled to take place from 7 - 10 August at the Grand Palais strip.