MILLER MAKES USA OLYMPIC TAEKWONDO TEAM

By Patrick Lujan

USA Olympic athletes with Guam roots include Ken Carpenter (cycling ’88/’92) and Bubba Nickles (softball ’20). Now young taekwondoin Montana Miller is knocking on the Olympic door after being selected for Team USA in 2028 after winning her 5th national championship.

“I was selected for the U.S. Olympic “Academy” Resident Team after training at a Talent ID Camp, where national Olympic coaches evaluate the best athletes in the country,” the 18-year-old told GSPN. “Out of the top talent, I was chosen to relocate to Charlotte, NC, to train at the U.S. Olympic Performance Center at UNC-Charlotte.”

This coincides with winning her 5th national championship during the 2025 U.S. National Championships in Ontario, CA in late July.

READ: Montana Miller (1st Person)

“I worked extremely hard at both of the camps I attended ‘talent ID camp’ and ‘world prep camp’, showing up as a dominant and a determined athlete. I pushed myself to stand out from my peers not just with my performance at camp, but also through my records of competition. That effort paid off, and I was chosen to join the program.”

JR. PAN AMERICAN

She is currently in Asunción, Paraguay representing the United States at the Jr. Pan American Games.

Miller settled for silver in her weight class.

With the U.S. Nationals and Pan Ams freshly behind her, the focus will be the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

“I’m so grateful for my family in Guam and Washington, my teammates, and everyone who’s supported me. I’m excited to take this next step toward my Olympic goals!”

Nickles and Carpenter

Bubba is still an integral part of the U.S. Women’s Softball Team and aims to play in L.A. She was part of the silver medal team in the 2020 Tokyo Games. There was no women’s softball played in Paris ’24. She has since gotten married, plays professional softball and is a D1 coach.

Carpenter ventured into the world of jiu-jitsu and trains German Shepherds.

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