He began practising taekwondo as a child, influenced by his love for combat sports. He mentioned, "Like every naughty boy, I was constantly looking for something to do. I am a big fan of Jean Claude Van Damme movies and I always tried to copy his flying kicks."

Training and Coaching

His training regime includes three hours of daily practice. He is coached by Rene Forero at the national level and Alvaro Vidal personally. His dedication to the sport is evident in his rigorous training schedule.

Memorable Achievements

One of his most memorable achievements is winning bronze in the flyweight category at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. This victory made him the first Colombian taekwondo athlete to win an Olympic medal.

Influences and Philosophy

The most influential people in his career are coaches Irma Gomez and Alvaro Vidal. His sporting philosophy is encapsulated in his motto: "Victories are something you think about, you desire and you obtain."

Challenges Faced

He faced a muscle injury that hampered his performance at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Despite this setback, he continued to pursue his passion for taekwondo.

Coaching Career

In March 2016, he began coaching young taekwondo athletes in the region of Cesar, Colombia. He expressed his happiness about this new role, saying, "This personal progress pleases me. I am very happy and I thank the governor for giving me the opportunity to share a little bit of my experience with this new generation of athletes."

Future Ambitions

Looking ahead, he aims to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. His commitment to both competing and coaching highlights his dedication to the sport.

His journey from a young boy inspired by action movies to an Olympic medallist and coach is a testament to his passion and perseverance in taekwondo.