Nickname: "Issa"
Height: 5-7
Weight: 146 pounds
Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii
Residence: Blue Island, Ill.
High School: Eisenhower H.S. (Blue Island, Ill.)
Year of Graduation: 2009
Coaches: Eric Laurin & Jeffery Williams, Sr.
Dojang: Indy TKD Academy & Xcellent Taekwondo Center
WTF World Ranking on 9/1/12: T-143rd (-73kg)
Has also competed in high school volleyball, basketball and track...lists her hobbies as playing volleyball, listening to music, reading and writing poetry...her 12-year-old brother, Jeffery, has competed in Taekwondo for five years and has medaled at the last four Junior Olympics...favorite foods are Chinese and Hawaiian...prefers a granola bar and fruit before a competiton...favorite athletes are Michael Jordan and the entire Lopez family...favorite movie is Pirates of the Caribbean...enjoys listening to Hawaiian, Samoan, Latin/Reggaeton and Hip-Hop music.
Did You Know? Laurissa wants to be a marine biologist and play pro volleyball when she gets older...her uncle Fiamalu Penitani is a world famous "Grand Champion" sumo wrestler.
Quotable Laurissa Tanielu: "Even though I am outgoing, I can be a very quiet person at times. I am very serious and focused when I train. I have been raised on the fact that hard work pays off, and that what you put into something is exactly what you'll get out of it. I am blessed to have a wonderful family, great teammates and coaches that support my training and allow me to pursue my goals."
Competition Record:
2010 Costa Rica Open (Middle): GOLD
2010 All American Challenge: GOLD
2010 Illinois State Championships: GOLD
2010 Ohio AAU Qualifier: GOLD
2009 U-24 National Team Trials (Heavy): quarterfinals
2008 U.S. Junior National Team Member (Jr. Lt. Heavy)
2008 Junior Olympics (Jr. Lt. Heavy): GOLD
2008 World Jr. Championships (Jr. Lt. Heavy): Round of 16
2008 Junior Team Trials (Jr. Lt. Heavy): 1st
2008 U.S. Open (14-17 Lt. Heavy): SILVER
2008 Jr. World Championships Open: 2nd
2007 Junior Team Trials (Jr. Lt. Heavy): 3rd
2007 Junior Olympics (Lt. Heavy): SILVER
2007 U.S. Senior Nationals (Welter): BRONZE
2006 U.S. Senior Nationals (Welter): BRONZE
2006 Junior Olympics (Lt. Heavy): SILVER
2006 "B" Junior Team Member
2006 Circle City Championships 14-17 (Lt. Heavy): GOLD
2006 All American Challenge 14-17 (Lt. Heavy): GOLD
2003 Junior Olympics (Heavy): BRONZE
last updated 9/18/12