WATCH: Former Palm Bay Resident Kristina Teachout Wins Olympic Bronze Medal in Taekwondo

18-Year-Old Defeats China's Song Jie 2-0 in Bronze Medal Contest

WATCH: Former Palm Bay resident Kristina Teachout won the Bronze Medal in women’s Taekwondo, 67kg class, at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games held in Paris, France, She spoke with the Friday Night Locker Room’s Steve Wilson prior to leaving for Paris. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE MATCH

Team USA’s Kristina Teachout is Taekwondo Bronze Medalist after Beating China’s Song | NBC Sports, CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE MATCH

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Former Palm Bay resident Kristina Teachout won the Bronze Medal in women’s Taekwondo at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games held in Paris, France.

Teachout, 18, competed in the 67kg category and defeated China’s Song Jie 2-0 in the Bronze Medal contest. CLICK HERE to watch the match.

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Teachout about her involvement with Taekwondo, the Olympics, and much more.

She took up the sport at a young age and became involved, primarily, with forms, weapons and the traditional part of Taekwondo.

Teachout told me, “When I got introduced to the Olympic sparring, that’s when I fell in love with fighting.” She continued, saying, “I like how I can physically push myself. It’s challenging. I enjoy the competitiveness within the sport with other people, and the competitiveness within myself.”

Her mindset, competitiveness, and physical ability have served her well. She is the youngest of the four USA Taekwondo participants.

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I asked Teachout what went through her mind when she found out she was going to compete in the Olympics. She smiled and said, “I am very, very emotional. I was by myself. I was acting crazy. I was crying. I was completely unhinged!”

I can assure you that will be the only time Teachout will ever be “unhinged.” She is a focused and determined young lady.

I personally enjoy watching the Summer Olympic Games, but the 2024 Games will be special. I will be watching and pulling hard for an 18-year-old that once lived in Brevard County. I don’t know how she will fare, but I do know that Kristina Teachout will be an outstanding representative of Team USA. Of that, I am certain.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia.  He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018,  Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey.

Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 24 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.

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