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Brianna Salinaro | Tokyo 2020 Olympic Profile

Team USA para taekwondo athlete Brianna Salinaro speaks about being the first female para taekwondo athlete to compete in the Paralympics and what that means to her.

Video transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING]

BRIANNA SALINARO: I'm Brianna. I'm 22, turning 23. I qualified for Tokyo back in January of 2021 through the world rankings. I'm currently ranked number four. I'm the first female para taekwondo athlete for the United States.

This is the first time para taekwondo will be in the Paralympics. So I'm very excited to represent our country. I'm a 2017 world bronze medalist.

It's tough to put into words what I feel being the first female to represent the United States in the sport, especially with it being the first time it's ever going to be in the Paralympic Games. I'm also the only athlete to compete in my division with cerebral palsy. So that alone is a huge thing for me as well.

It's just I'm beyond grateful and just really optimistic and hopeful about the outcome. And could not be more thankful to Team USA and everybody who's given me this opportunity.