My mom always told me the more you try, the more you will succeed in everything you set out to do.

Neither one of my parents played sports at a very high level when they grew up in Nicaragua.

It's so emotional. You train so hard. I know the hours we put into it.

I think our legacy will always be there. My brothers and I have carved a path for all taekwondo players, not just in the U.S.

Of course I want to bring home a gold medal, and that's what I'm planning on doing. For me, that's not pressure. It's a chance to show the world who I am.

I need that hug from my mom. She's the Latin mother that hugs you and says all these sweet things to you in Spanish. It's just comforting. She also gives me that strength.

Win or lose, I'm going to leave everything on the mat. That's what gold medalists do.

My mother was the oldest of nine children, five boys and four girls, so she had experience sharing responsibility for a large, sometimes loud group of kids.

Not only are we like the epitome of the American dream, we've been successful at the sport for so long that we know the Lopez name will always be part of the taekwondo world.

Because of my mom's compassion, direction, and knowledge, she gives me that extra push to be the best person I can be.