Paige McPherson

Paige Arielle "McFierce" McPherson (born October 1, 1990) is an American taekwondo athlete. A three-time Olympian, she competed for the United States in three different editions of the Summer Olympics (2012, 2016, and 2020). McPherson won the bronze medal in the women's 67 kg event at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England.

Early life McPherson was born on October 1, 1990, in Abilene, Texas. She grew up in Sturgis, South Dakota. McPherson and four other siblings were adopted by Susan and Dave McPherson. Her biological family includes an older brother and two half-siblings. McPherson graduated from Black Hills Classical Christian Academy in 2009, and then went on to attend Miami Dade College.

Career McPherson was a silver medalist in the women's 67 kg taekwondo event at the 2011 Pan American Games.

McPherson represented the United States at the 2012 Summer Olympics, competing in the women’s 67 kg taekwondo event. In the preliminary round, she secured a surprise defeat over Team GB's Sarah Stevenson. McPherson went on to win a bronze medal by defeating Franka Anić of Slovenia, 8-3.

After winning a gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games, McPherson was selected to represent the United States as a member of the Team USA Taekwondo Team at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During the 2016 Summer Olympics, she lost her first match against Farida Azizova.

Personal life McPherson is of African American and Filipino descent.