McPherson wins silver at Taekwondo World CHampionships

Paige McPherson

As many of you already know, I'm writing about female athletes from all sports as I countdown to the publication of my newest book, Long-armed Ludy and the First Women's Olympics.

So far, I've been hanging close to track and field, but today I'll change gears to taekwondo.

Today's athlete is Paige "McFierce" McPherson, who last week won the silver medal in the 67-kilo division at the World Taekwondo Championships in Muju, South Korea. Winning the event (6-4) was Turkey's Nur Tatar, bronze medalist from Rio.

McPherson (who is from my home state of South Dakota) is a two-time Olympian in the sport, winning the bronze in London in 2012 and competing in Rio in 2016. 

Last week's World Championships provided a chance for McPherson to regain her world standing.

“I listened to my coach and went out there and proved myself, proved my worth and I was able to go all the way to the finals," said McPherson in an article published in the Black Hills Pioneer.

And the strong showing, she believes, is a nudge to keep on competing. 

“God works in mysterious ways and he’s definitely showing me that I should continue and pursue taekwondo. So far this year I’ve done very, very well, and so I’m just trying to ride the wave and see where it leads and where it takes me.”

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