Will you chip in to support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation today?
Yes, I want to support My MLTnews!
Edmonds College student Yusleny Rangel will represent the United States in taekwondo at the 2026 FISU America Games in Lima, Peru. The FISU America Games is a multi-sport international competition for university student-athletes from across North, Central and South America, organized by the continental governing body of the International University Sports Federation (FISU).
The 19-year-old pre-nursing student is one of five athletes from the Seattle area to qualify for the U.S. National Collegiate Taekwondo Team and the only woman from the region selected. Competing in the 46-kilogram division, Rangel earned her spot after finishing among the top two athletes at the national collegiate team trials in Fresno, California, in April.
Rangel, who began practicing taekwondo at age 5 after trying ballet, earned her black belt at age 8 and is now a third-degree black belt and two-time U17 national champion.
“Taekwondo is all I know,” Rangel said. “It helps with self-confidence and mental strength because you have to be mentally strong in a lot of different situations.”
Her training schedule begins at 6 a.m. at Master Cho’s Taekwondo in Lynnwood before attending pre-nursing classes at Edmonds College. After school, she helps care for her younger brother and assists in her mother’s housecleaning business before returning for evening training.
Twice a week, including Saturdays, she also trains in Tacoma with the Twin Tigers Taekwondo fight team under Master Daniel Ramirez.
“I’m very thankful for my coaches, Master Ramirez, Master Cho (Ki Seung Cho) and Master Joshua Cho,” Rangel said. “They have opened their dojangs to me, and their support has been instrumental in getting me where I am today.”
Because taekwondo is not a varsity sport at Edmonds College, Rangel pays for travel and competition expenses herself.
After a disappointing performance at the CONADE National Games in Mexico, Rangel said she questioned whether to continue competing.
“I was thinking about giving up because I wasn’t getting the results I should be getting,” she said.
Two weeks later, Ramirez encouraged her to compete in a regional tournament, where she won her weight class.
“It cleared any doubt that I had in my mind,” Rangel said. “It’s not worth it to quit over something that’s just part of the process.”
Ramirez has organized a fundraiser to help cover the $4,000 needed for Rangel’s travel and competition expenses. Organizers said more than $1,000 has been raised.
“I think that with adequate preparation and the support that I’ve had behind me throughout the years, it’s going to be a very good competition for me,” Rangel said.
Real first and last names — as well as city of residence — are required for all commenters.
This is so we can verify your identity before approving your comment.
By commenting here you agree to abide by our Code of Conduct. Please read our code at the bottom of this page before commenting.