Mark Lopez, an American Taekwondo star, was born on April 25, 1982 in Houston, Texas. He has great love for his mother, whom he considers as his philosopher and mentor.
After graduating from the Kempner High School, he majored in finance from the University of St. Thomas. To renew his license as a realtor, Mark Lopez has enrolled in the Champions School of Real Estate. His brother, Steven, and sister, Diana, also play the same sport as him.
His venture into the World of Taekwondo began at an early age of five and was trained by Jean Lopez. Mark Lopez made his national debut in 1990 at the U.S. Junior Olympic Championships, and made it to the finals, where he performed exceptionally well against his opponent to win his first gold medal. In the eight years that followed, in each attempt, he struck gold and reigned as the undisputed Taekwondo champion at the U.S. Junior Olympic Championships. In 1998, Mark Lopez competed in the featherweight division of the World Junior Championships and won his first bronze at the international level. In the same year, he also participated in the U.S. Open and the Spain Open, winning silver medals in both the events. He maintained his winning momentum, and his participation in the bantamweight division at the 1999 World Championships resulted in him winning the bronze medal. His spectacular performance at the U.S. National Team Trials that year fetched him the gold medal.
In 2000, Mark Lopez secured two gold medals, one at the U.S. Olympic Qualifying Tournament #1, and the other at the National Collegiate Championships. His winning streak continued, and in the following year he struck two gold medals by winning the U.S. National Championships and the National Collegiate Championships.
2005 turned out to be a successful year as well, and his stunning performance in the featherweight division of the World Championships helped him win a gold medal at the international level. At the 2006 Dutch Open, Mark Lopez struck gold again, making winning gold look so easy. This was followed by a silver medal at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier in 2007.At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, his winning streak continued, and in the men's 68kg feather weight division, Mark Lopez emerged victorious to secure a silver medal. Mark Lopez, his brother, Steven Lopez, and sister, Diana Lopez became the first siblings to win medals in an Olympic event since 1904.
Apart from being a Taekwondo pro, Mark Lopez wishes to continue his education at the Harvard School of Business. If given a chance, Mark Lopez would take up soccer professionally. He loves to learn and considers the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, the History Channel, self-help books, and the Internet as the best tools for effective learning.
