Laurissa Tanielu

USA Taekwondo

Laurissa Tanielu
Birth Year
1991
Home
Blue Island, Illinois
Birth Place
Honolulu, Hawaii

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