“I was really pumped up and glad that I had won the semi-finals so I think that I really felt focused in that final match," said Craig, 16, of her final match with the 14-year-old Martinez. "I was calm and stayed defensive. I think she (Martinez) performed really well. She's a great up-and-coming athlete."

In her semifinal match against Danielle Pelham (Bothell, Wash.), Craig found herself trailing in the third round but came back for a 6-5 victory.

“I knew I was going to come back from it," said Craig. "I knew as long as I stayed focused I would come back. You have to take advantage of the other person's mistakes. You have nothing to lose when you are down. If you're not going to attack then you will lose anyways.”

Craig, a bronze medalist at the 2007 World Taekwondo Championships, also thought her international experience helped her today.

“I think it played a big role, because I am used to playing at higher international levels. Fighting at World Championships and fights like that helped me out a lot because it gives me a lot of confidence.”

Lopez and Chris Martinez, training partners in Houston, matched up earlier in the day, with Lopez prevailing 4-0.

“It is just like everyday in training," said Lopez. "We fight each other all of the time and it is just another day for us. I felt really strong and not injured at all. I was aware and awake. Everything was falling into place, my timing and my feet, everything.”

The anticipated re-match in the finals ended with Martinez bowing out to Lopez, giving him the victory.

“We fought our fight today and we fight everyday," Martinez said. "It is another day for us and he is the better man today.”

Added Lopez: “It is definitely a lot harder at the world competition and either one of us could have done a great job in Manchester to qualify for the United States. I just have to maintain my weight and keep on doing what I am doing. I am not going to go home and go celebrate and be happy because I still have something in front of me and that’s the next big thing.”

Lopez will be in the stands on Friday cheering on older brother Steven and younger sister Diana, as they continue their quest to become the first three siblings to make a U.S. Summer Olympic Team since 1904.

“Their chances are really good," Mark said. "They are the reigning world champions and this will be a big stepping stone for them. They just need to go out and do their jobs. They cannot underestimate anyone even though we believe their calibers are way higher then anyone else. They cannot take anything for granted.”

Competition at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials for Taekwondo concludes on Friday with action in the female bantam/featherweight division and the male light/welterweight division.

THURSDAY'S RESULTS

Men's Bantam/Feather
1st Round
James Moontasri def. Jesus Armendariz, 8-5
Gus Villa def. Nicolas Delgado, 4-3
Chris Martinez def. Richard Lee, 3-2
David Bartlett def. Christian Valencia, 6-5
Luis Reyes def. Christopher Tapuro, 2-1
Brian Gallagher def. Stepfon Westbrook, 2-1
James Howe def. Nir Moriah, 5-1

Second Round
James Moontasri def. Gus Villa, 4-1
Chris Martinez def. David Bartlett, 4-(-1)
Brian Gallagher def. Luis Reyes, 4-1
Mark Lopez def. James Howe, 1-(-1)

Third Round
Mark Lopez def. Brian Gallagher, 4-1
Chris Martinez def. James Moontasri, 5-4

Fourth Round
Mark Lopez def. Chris Martinez, 4-0

Elimination Bracket
Nicolas Delgado def. Jesus Armendariz, 1-0 (OT)
Christian Valencia def. Richard Lee, 4-2
Nir Moriah def. Luis Reyes, WDR
Stepfon Westbrook def. Christopher Tapuro, 3-2
James Howe def. Nicolas Delgado, 2-1
Christian Valencia def. Gus Villa, 5-3
David Bartlett def. Stepfon Westbrook, 4-1
James Howe def. Christian Valencia, 4-2
David Bartlett def. Nir Moriah, 9-5
Brian Gallagher def. James Howe, 4-2
James Moontasri def. David Bartlett, 3-2
Brian Gallagher def. James Moontasri, 4-2 (RSC due to injury)
Chris Martinez def. Brian Gallagher, 2-1

Final
Mark Lopez def. Chris Martinez, WDR

Women's Fin/Fly
1st Round
Danielle Pelham def. Mara Perscheid, 5-3
Anees Hasnain def. Cheryl Krause, 3-1

Second Round
Danielle Pelham def. Alexis Martinez, 1-0
Charlotte Craig def. Anees Hasnain, 2-0

Third Round
Charlotte Craig def. Danielle Pelham, 6-5

Elimination Bracket
Anees Hasnain def. Mara Perscheid, 2-1
Alexis Martinez def. Cheryl Krause, 1-0 (OT)
Alexis Martinez def. Anees Hasnain, 1-0 (OT)
Alexis Martinez def. Danielle Pelham, 6-5

Final
Charlotte Craig def. Alexis Martinez, 7-0