The Ultimate List of Olympic Medalists in Taekwondo: Kicks, Glory, and Gold

When it comes to the Olympics, every sport has its champions, but taekwondo is where grace meets power — with a side of lightning-fast kicks. Since its debut as an official Olympic sport in Sydney 2000, taekwondo has delivered some of the most intense showdowns on the mat. And for those of you wondering who stood tallest on the podium, we’ve got you covered with the ultimate list of Olympic medalists in taekwondo — every game, every weight class, every legend.

If you’re a martial arts enthusiast or a curious sports fan from the USA, this guide is designed to be your goldmine of information. Buckle up, because we’re spinning through time from Sydney to Paris 2024, spotlighting the kicks, quirks, and kings (and queens) of the Olympic tatami.

The Evolution of Taekwondo at the Olympics

Let’s kick things off with a quick history lesson:

• 1988 Seoul Olympics – Taekwondo debuts as a demonstration sport (makes sense, it’s Korean!)
• 2000 Sydney Olympics – Taekwondo officially becomes a full medal sport. Yay!
• Since then, it’s been a staple at every Summer Games, showcasing weight classes for both men and women, typically divided into four for each gender.

Comprehensive List of Olympic Medalists in Taekwondo (2000–2024)

🥇 Sydney 2000

• Men’s 58kg: Gold – Michalis Mouroutsos (Greece)
• Women’s 49kg: Gold – Lauren Burns (Australia)

Credit: Facebook: Michalis Mouroutsos 

Note: Full medal details for each weight category are available on the official Olympic website.

🥇 Athens 2004

• Men’s 80kg: Gold – Steven Lopez (USA)
• Women’s 67kg: Gold – Hwang Kyung-Seon (South Korea)

🥇 Beijing 2008

• Men’s 68kg: Gold – Son Tae-Jin (South Korea)
• Women’s 57kg: Gold – Lim Su-Jeong (South Korea)

🥇 London 2012

• Men’s 58kg: Gold – Joel González (Spain)
• Women’s 67kg: Gold – Hwang Kyung-Seon (South Korea)

Credit: Korea.net: Hwang Kyung-Seon

🥇 Rio 2016

• Men’s 80kg: Gold – Cheick Sallah Cissé (Ivory Coast)
• Women’s 49kg: Gold – Kim So-Hui (South Korea)

🥇 Tokyo 2020

• Men’s 68kg: Gold – Ulugbek Rashitov (Uzbekistan)
• Women’s 57kg: Gold – Anastasija Zolotic (USA)

🥇 Paris 2024

• Men’s 68kg: Gold – Ulugbek Rashitov (Uzbekistan)
• Women’s 49kg: Gold – Panipak Wongpattanakit (Thailand)
• Men’s 80kg: Gold – Firas Katoussi (Tunisia)
• Women’s +67kg: Gold – Althea Laurin (France)

Credit: Olympic.com: Althea Laurin

For a detailed breakdown of all medalists in each weight category and year, refer to the official Olympic records.

🌍 Countries with the Most Taekwondo Olympic Medals

A little leaderboard never hurt anyone:

🔥 South Korea continues to dominate the list of Olympic medalists in taekwondo, but Western countries are rapidly catching up.

💡 Fun Taekwondo Olympic Facts You Didn’t Know

• The taegeuk (symbol on the South Korean flag) is featured on official taekwondo doboks.
• Olympic taekwondo uses electronic sensors in vests and headgear for accurate scoring.
• USA’s Steven López is the only taekwondo athlete to compete in five Olympic Games!

Also Read: List of All Taekwondo Masters Till Now

And the Gold Goes To… The Legends Who Kick History in the Face

The list of Olympic medalists in taekwondo isn’t just about stats — it’s a legacy of grit, glory, and flying spin kicks that could take your breath away. From the López dynasty in the USA to the unstoppable force that is South Korea, each Olympics has birthed new legends and rewritten the history of martial arts on the world’s biggest stage.

So whether you’re an athlete, or a fan, remember this: Olympic taekwondo is more than just medals — it’s a symphony of discipline, drama, and dazzle.

🥋 Now go kick your way through the rest of your day with the spirit of a champ.