Height: 5-2
Weight: 114 lbs.
Birthplace: Manila, Philippines
High School: Granada Hills Charter H.S.
Year of Graduation: 2012
Coaches: Master Jae Ok Lee, Coach Jun Quitain, Coach Peace Lee
Dojang: Planet Infinity - More Than Medals Taekwondo
Hobbies: stargazing, writing, blogging and hanging out with the youth from her church
Family: older sister, Amber Rodriguez, is also a 2nd Dan black belt in taekwondo and has been competing since the age of 9.
Favorite Foods: Filipino, Korean, Japanese and pasta
Pre-Competition Meal: banana and protein bar
Favorite Athlete: her sister Amber Rodriguez ("She's not only great in poomsae for taekwondo, but she really inspires me to do well in school and in everything else that I do. Looking at her, despite being a very busy athlete -- she still has time to tend to her responsibilities as a daughter, and older sister, and student.")
Favorite Movies: "Facing the Giants" and "Hua Mulan" (not the Disney version)
Favorite Music: alternative, Christian/inspirational, Tagalog, and Himig Ng Lahi (one of her all-time favorite Filipino albums)
Did You Know?: Kathy's life is mostly occupied with taekwondo, church, school and family. She finds it really important to not only win in the area of taekwondo and sparring -- but also in grades at school and relationships with other people. After her career in taekwondo, Kathy aspires to be a teacher and still sees herself training and coaching taekwondo when she is older.
Quotable Kathy Rodriguez: "I've realized that the title 'Junior National Team Member' is only a bonus to what I experienced throughout this summer competing. It's really a privilege to be a part of the USA team carrying the name of our gym, Planet Infinity, as well as my race as a Filipino-American. But I just wanted to let our team know that the title is not actually mine, but is really ours. Yes, maybe I'm the one who went out there and won my fights, but it was really the reminder of our team and our families that inspired me to keep going. Without my experiences with them and what they've taught me, I wouldn't have chosen to stand up and keep walking when training became tough and furstrating. Our journey as a team continues and I'm thankful to be a part of a gym that not only raises athletes that are champions in the game, but most importantly -- teaches us how to be champions in life."
MAJOR COMPETITION RESULTS:
2011 USAT National Championships (Sr. Bantam): BRONZE
2011 USAT Buffalo National Qualifier (Sr. Bantam): GOLD
2011 USAT Buffalo National Qualifier (Jr. Welter): GOLD
2010 U.S. Junior National Team Member (Jr. Light)
2010 USAT Junior Olympics (Jr. Light): GOLD
2010 USAT Junior Olympics (Sport Poomsae): BRONZE
2010 USAT Junior Olympics (Sport Poomsae - Pairs): GOLD
2010 USAT National Poomsae Team Trials (Pairs): Semifinals
2010 USAT Fresno National Qualifier - Sparring (Jr. Light): BRONZE
2010 California State Championships (Sport Poomsae): GOLD
2010 California State Championships (Sport Poomsae - Pair): BRONZE
2010 USAT U.S. Open (14-18 Poomsae): Top 8
2010 USAT U.S. Open (Jr. Sparring): Quarterfinals
2009 USAT U.S. Open (Jr. Poomsae): BRONZE
2008 World Taekwondo Hanmadang (Poomsae - Pair): GOLD
2007 USAT Junior Olympics (Poomsae): GOLD
2007 USAT National Qualifier (Poomsae): GOLD
2007 Las Vegas Open - Sparring (Light): SILVER
2007 Las Vegas Open - Poomsae (Light): GOLD
2005 USAT Junior Olympics - World Class Sparring: SILVER
2005 USAT Junior Olympics - Elite Open Sparring: GOLD
2005 USAT National Qualifier - Sparring: GOLD
2005 USAT National Qualifier - Poomsae: SILVER
last updated 9/28/11