J U D O / TA E K W O N D O
GOLD MEDAL
RETURNEES
HIGHLIGHT
MARTIAL
ARTS
Martial arts in the Olympics consists of
taekwondo and judo. In taekwondo eight
gold medals are awarded in four weight
classes for men and women. Two-time
gold medalist Steven Lopez of the U.S.
returns for his fifth Games, and at 37 he
aims to become the oldest Olympian
ever to compete in his sport. Also in the
medal mix are Turkey’s Servet Tazegul,
Korea’s Lee Dae-Hoon and Spain’s Joel
Gonzalez. Great Britain’s Jade Jones,
China’s Wu Jingyu and the USA’s Paige
McPherson are contenders on the wom-
en’s side.
In Judo 14 gold medals are awarded in
seven weight classes for each gender.
Watch for defending Olympic heavy-
weight champion Teddy Riner of France
and decorated American competitor
Travis Stevens. Top women judokas
include Cuba’s Idalys Ortiz, Brazil’s
Mayra Aguiar and the USA’s Kayla
Harrison, who in London became the first
American to win an Olympic gold medal
in judo.
Taekwondo: 8/17-20 M ;Judo: 8/6-12 M
M O D E R N P E N TAT H L O N
MODERN PENTATHLON FEATURES
THE BEST OF MODERN AND
CLASSIC ATHLETES
If there is an Iron Man competition – one that requires excellence in a series of
disciplines – in the Olympics it is the Modern Pentathlon. Athletes who compete in
these events participate in fencing, swimming (200 meter) and equestrian sports,
which is then followed by the Combined Event that requires them to run 3,200
meters while making four stops to shoot laser pistols (much like winter biathlon).
“Modern” is the key word as this event has evolved through the years and once
included discus, javelin, distance jumping and wrestling. Russian athletes have
been the most consistent while the U.S. looks for Nathan Schrimsher of Colorado
Springs to excel.
8/18 Q; 8/19-20 M
MICHAEL PHELPS
Full Name: Michael Fred Phelps II
Country: United States
Birthplace: Baltimore, MD
Birth date: June 30, 1985
Height/Weight: 6 feet 4 inches/196 pounds
Events: Butterl y, freestyle, medley
Credentials: Olympic gold and bronze medal-
ist, 2004, 2008, 2012; multi-gold medalist in World
Championships
Factoids: Phelps is the all-time most decorated
Olympian with 22 medals, including 18 gold, in three
Olympic competitions. Phelps was honored by Sports
Illustrated as its Man of the Year in 2008.
2016 SUMMER OLYMPICS VIEWER’S GUIDE pg 9