McPherson Courtesy Getty Images
Team USA’s Paige McPherson came to fight, and got to stand on the Olympic medals podium for her efforts.
The 21 year old from South Dakota won 8-3 in the 67 kg Taekwondo bronze medal final over Franka Anić of Slovenia. McPherson only loss in the tournament was in the quarterfinals to eventual silver medalist Nur Tartar of Turkey.
McPherson was one of only two Americans invited to the Olympics in Taekwondo. The other, 57 kg medal favorite Diana Lopez, came up short.
Team USA would again six women’s combat sports medals. Judo and boxing got gold medalists in Kayla Harrison and Claressa Shields respectively; with judoka Marti Malloy and boxer Marlen Esparza gaining bronze.
Wrestler Clarissa Chun would win a bronze as well.
With Shields at 17, McPherson at 21, Harrison at 22, Esparza at 23, and Malloy at 26; we can expect all of them to look towards Rio in 2016.
Marlen retired from Boxing after her win, said she will focus on her education.