Maria del Rosario Espinoza

Sport: Taekwondo

Nation: Mexico

DOB: November 27, 1987

Career Highlights: Espinoza first started to garner attention by winning the 2003 Pan American youth championships, but evolved into a local celebrity in her native Mexico after winning gold at the Beijing Games. Because of that success, she comes into London for her second Olympics saddled with big expectations. Ranked No. 3 in the world in the 67 kg+ weight class coming into the summer, Espinoza has won 38 of 49 registered matches over the course of her career. Considered a favorite to medal again this summer, Espinoza should face stiff competition for the top spot from France's Gwladys Épangue, who is ranked No. 1 in the world by a wide margin. Espinoza is the reigning three-time Spanish Open champion, winning gold at both the 2007 worlds and '10 Pan American championships. While she spent the spring looking forward to carrying the Olympic torch June 15, she figures to make her country all the more proud on the mat come the summer.

Olympic History: 2008