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DIANA LOPEZ Favorite Food: Sushi Favorite Color: Blue Favorite TV Show: The Office Favorite Movie: Superbad Favorite Song: Lollipop (Lil Wayne) Favorite Band/Singer: Lil Wayne Favorite Thing To Do When You're Not Training: Take naps Favorite Olympic Sport (Other Than Your Own): Volleyball Favorite Athlete: Steven Lopez Favorite Place To Compete: Europe Favorite Place To Vacation: The Mediterranean Do You Have Any Superstitions Or Pre-Competition Rituals? I always pray at night, I stretch out a lot, I just try to make sure that I have a good night's sleep. What's Your Dream Car? Corvette |
Q&A With Taekwondo's Diana Lopez
Fighter, Brothers Make Olympic-Team History
UPDATED: 1:15 pm PDT April 30,
2008
Diana Lopez and her family are making Olympic history at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where the taekwondo fighters will be the first three siblings since 1904 to make an Olympic team in the same year. Diana, Mark and Steven -- a two-time Olympic champion -- are all coached by their oldest brother, Jean.As she prepares for the Beijing Games, Diana chats about almost making the 2004 Olympic team, growing up with three brothers and her past trips to China.
What does it mean to you to be competing at the Olympics with Steven and Mark?
It's always been a dream of ours. In 2004 I was really close, just one point away (from defeating Nia Abdallah). … But I guess God works in mysterious ways.Having watched Steven compete in the previous Olympics, did you pick up any pointers from watching him deal with the Olympic setting that can help you prepare for your first Games?
I know what to expect from every aspect. … I actually went to Beijing for a test event, so I've also been to the actual competition sight already, too.
Who was more excited after you and Mark won at Trials -- you and Mark, or Jean?
Markie was really excited, because he fought before me so he had already won before I fought. And then when I landed the kick (against Abdallah) in sudden death and I knew I got the pop the judges were looking for. I ran over to Jean, and I thought he was going to lift me up, but instead I tackled him and we ended up rolling around on the ground. It was pretty funny.Being the only girl with three brothers, were you picked on a lot growing up?
All the time, but we all kind of pick on each other. Now, since Jean is our coach, we tend to gang up on him. … I had a lot of teasing growing up, but I held my own.Would you say your brothers are protective of you? Do they scare away your dates?
They'd always kind of give them a look, or be standoffish. Even now if I talk about my boyfriend, they give me a look.Having visited Beijing a couple of times before, what sights do you want to go back and visit?
I want to go back to the Great Wall. The last time I was there was in 1999 when I was 15. The last time I was in China, I went to the Silk Market, and then I went to a dinner where they served duck feet.What's one thing you want people to know about you?
I'm pretty down-to-earth. A lot of people think that as a female fighter I'm mean, but I like to laugh and I like to go shopping. I'm a normal girl.
What does it mean to you to be competing at the Olympics with Steven and Mark?
It's always been a dream of ours. In 2004 I was really close, just one point away (from defeating Nia Abdallah). … But I guess God works in mysterious ways.Having watched Steven compete in the previous Olympics, did you pick up any pointers from watching him deal with the Olympic setting that can help you prepare for your first Games?
I know what to expect from every aspect. … I actually went to Beijing for a test event, so I've also been to the actual competition sight already, too.
Markie was really excited, because he fought before me so he had already won before I fought. And then when I landed the kick (against Abdallah) in sudden death and I knew I got the pop the judges were looking for. I ran over to Jean, and I thought he was going to lift me up, but instead I tackled him and we ended up rolling around on the ground. It was pretty funny.Being the only girl with three brothers, were you picked on a lot growing up?
All the time, but we all kind of pick on each other. Now, since Jean is our coach, we tend to gang up on him. … I had a lot of teasing growing up, but I held my own.Would you say your brothers are protective of you? Do they scare away your dates?
They'd always kind of give them a look, or be standoffish. Even now if I talk about my boyfriend, they give me a look.Having visited Beijing a couple of times before, what sights do you want to go back and visit?
I want to go back to the Great Wall. The last time I was there was in 1999 when I was 15. The last time I was in China, I went to the Silk Market, and then I went to a dinner where they served duck feet.What's one thing you want people to know about you?
I'm pretty down-to-earth. A lot of people think that as a female fighter I'm mean, but I like to laugh and I like to go shopping. I'm a normal girl.
Previous Stories:
- April 29, 2008: Q&A With Taekwondo's Mark Lopez
- April 29, 2008: Q&A With Taekwondo's Steven Lopez
- April 5, 2008: Lopez Siblings Make Olympics Family Affair
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