Dae-hoon Lee: “LA 2028 means everything”

New USA Taekwondo National Team Coach Dae-hoon Lee told MASTKD he joined Team USA to take on a bigger challenge and help to shape the LA 2028 journey, emphasizing that he wants to bring the process and mindset behind elite performance—not just medals. He said his focus will be tactical intelligence, mental and physical toughness, and a trust-based team culture, while blending Korean structure with American individuality to leave a sustainable system through Brisbane 2032.

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What attracted you to the USA Taekwondo project and made you accept this role now?

After my career as an athlete, when I became a coach, I always had a dream of sweating on the court together with athletes, studying and developing taekwondo together. I also had a strong desire to improve my language skills and to challenge myself on a bigger stage. The United States has long been the country I considered first.

I felt that this opportunity came at the right time in my life to take on a greater challenge, and I believed that joining Team USA was exactly that challenge.

In particular, LA 2028 is a very symbolic stage not only for the United States but also in the history of taekwondo. Being part of that journey holds great meaning for me. I saw potential within the athletes and the system, and I wanted to contribute with my experience and passion.

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You are a three-time world champion and Olympic medalist: what part of your competitive experience do you want to bring to Team USA first?

More than medals themselves, I want to share the process and mindset required to prepare for the biggest stage.

At the highest level, very small details determine the result. Emotional control, tactical patience, and confidence under pressure are essential.

During my career, I experienced both victory and disappointment. In particular, I experienced deep disappointment on the biggest Olympic stage. However, over the following ten years, I rebuilt myself and continued to win. I would like to share the mental toughness and strategic insight I gained through that process with the athletes.

What do you think American athletes are lacking today in order to compete consistently against Asia and Europe?

I do not doubt the talent of American athletes. I believe the talent and potential are already there.

However, the consistency of preparation and the level of tactical completeness required on the international stage can be strengthened further. To compete consistently at the world level, a structured system and detailed strategic approach are necessary.

Taekwondo is a sport where very small movements and decisions in fast situations determine victory or defeat. If there is a system where these aspects are continuously studied and shared, I believe the international competitiveness of American athletes will become even stronger.

What do you think will be the main difference between American and Korean athletes (culture, habits, tactics, discipline, environment)?

I believe the biggest difference lies more in the cultural environment than in technical ability.

Korean athletes often grow within a structured and discipline-oriented system. American athletes, from what I understand, grow in an environment that values individuality and autonomy more.

I do not think one approach is superior to the other. They are simply different approaches.

My role is not to replace one culture with another, but to harmonize the strengths of both. As I begin living and working directly with American athletes, I will understand this more deeply, but I believe that if Korean structure and American individuality are combined well, a new and strong system can be created.

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If you had to define your contribution in one sentence, what will change at USA Taekwondo with your arrival?

Rather than creating dramatic short-term change, my role is to build a team culture grounded in confidence and stability in competition over time.

Instead of chasing results, I aim to raise the level of the process that produces results.

What three pillars will guide your work as a coach (tactical, technical, physical/mental)?

Tactical Intelligence

As a coach, I realized that some things I took for granted as an athlete are not always deeply considered by athletes. I believe it is important to raise their understanding of taekwondo sparring and help them develop the ability to read and judge situations.

Mental and Physical Toughness

Taekwondo is a combat sport, and physical and mental strength are critical performance factors. I do not believe I had exceptional physical gifts. However, I was able to compete at the world level for a long time because of my endurance and mental toughness.

Team Culture Based on Mutual Trust

I believe that teams with good atmosphere and trust ultimately achieve good results. Without trust, even the best performance cannot be sustained.

What was your experience working with the Korean national team as a coach like? What role did you play, and what did you learn?

My experience with the Korean national team was very valuable. I was able to observe closely how an elite system operates and how athlete management and competition strategy are designed.

Through that experience, I learned that a coach is not someone who controls, but someone who responsibly provides direction. I also learned that because each athlete has a different personality and style, a coach must respond with flexibility.

I deeply realized that a coach is not someone who gives the answers, but someone who helps athletes find their own answers.

How was your transition from athlete to coach: what surprised you most about the “other side” of the mat?

As an athlete, I was responsible only for myself.

As a coach, I became responsible for the dreams of many athletes.

This change made me more humble and made me realize that I must communicate more carefully and prepare more thoroughly. Through this process, I am also continuing to grow.

How will you adapt the “Korean model” to the cultural and competitive context of the United States?

My goal is not to apply the Korean model exactly as it is.

The discipline and structure I learned in Korea are valuable, but it is important to consider how they can harmonize with the culture and environment of the U.S. program.

The goal is not to copy a system, but to build a new structure that fits Team USA. In that process, it is most important that athletes and staff share the same direction and vision.

A long agreement until Brisbane: what legacy do you want to leave in the system, besides medals?

Medals are important, but they are not permanent.

What I want to leave is a sustainable system. I want to create an environment where athletes are not just repeating training, but understanding taekwondo, thinking about it, and sharing ideas – developing into individuals who have both confidence and discipline to win on the world stage. If that system continues to produce strong athletes even after time passes, I believe that will be the greatest achievement.

And if within that system we can successfully complete the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, it would bring me even greater happiness than the records I achieved as an athlete.

MAS: Media About Sport.
TKD: Taekwondo.
MASTKD: Worldwide Leader on Taekwondo Information.

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Claudio Aranda

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