Kristina Lopez: Brains and athleticism

Taekwondo was not love at first sight for California-native Kristina Lopez, but with persistence and dedication, she became a black belter in her senior year in high school.  An avid dancer and football player, Kristina started practicing Taekwondo at the age of twelve when her uncle opened a taekwondo school. Since it was his uncle’s own school, she was encouraged by her mother to participate in the taekwondo classes.  She explained, “I wasn’t very excited about it, but then I fell in love with it.” And that’s how it all began. Eventually, Kristina seemingly found her niche with taekwondo. 

Taekwondo is somewhat a new sport to western countries.  Thus, there were limited opportunities to compete, especially in the high school level. “Actually, in high school, taekwondo isn’t acknowledged very much so I didn’t get any recognition or any awards. People only knew I did taekwondo.  It was unfortunate,” Kristina shares. Yet, despite these, Kristina still pushed herself to excel in the sport.

With Taekwondo being a relatively less popular sport in the United States, Kristina left her hometown of Concord and packed her bags for Manila to pursue an athletic scholarship. She tried out for various schools and eventually chose De La Salle University. And this coming UAAP Season 77, Kristina shall suit up for the Lady Jins. When asked about her experience in her first year studying in La Salle, she expounded, “It’s very chill.  I was expecting kind of like snobby people but, they’re actually really nice so I’m glad that I chose La Salle.”

Her athletic ability might be the reason why she is here in the country, but Kristina takes pride in her academics as well. She hopes to be one of those who could break and go against the quite unpleasant student-athlete stereotype.  “People generally think student-athletes are lazy when it comes to academics. They are content with doing the bare minimum in school. I want to bring pride to La Salle by doing well academically and performing well in training and competition,” explains the rookie Lady Jin.

Kristina has an excellent work ethic even during her free time.  Making strength and conditioning a priority, Lopez likes to push herself to her full potential by spending time doing strengthening workouts.  As for fun, she shares that she enjoys hanging out with her teammates and family doing DIY crafts found on Pinterest.

Lopez is also close with the rest of the Lady Jins. She said, “Personally, I’m trying to be the ate to my teammates and to bring the unity and encourage all of them.  I’m also into strengthening and working out so I’m trying to get the girls [Lady Jins] to start working out as well.”  

The feeling was mutual with her teammates.  When fellow Lady Jin Farah Regis was asked to describe Kristina, this is what she has to say, “She is super kind, very sweet, and like an ate to all of us.  She always looks out for everyone.”

With brains and athleticism, expect upcoming Lady Jin Kristina Lopez to kick her way to success this coming season of the UAAP.