Eleni answered the following 10 questions for this month's USA Taekwondo Athlete Profile...

Q1: Whose autograph would you want most and why?

ELENI KOUTSILIANOS: Mia Hamm. When I was a little girl, I remember I’d quit a lot of games because I hated to lose (you could ask my coach Jin Suh). I thought if I quit before the game was over I really didn’t lose, just like Mia Hamm. I always wanted to win and always had a winner’s attitude. I think her legacy will be is that she built the game for everyone. She didn’t build the game for herself. She and her teammates helped popularize women’s soccer. One day I hope tae kwon do could reach its full potential of making it a popular event in such a way that Mia Hamm poured her heart and soul into the field as to the way we compete in the ring..

Q2: Who is someone who impressed you at the Dutch and German Opens this year?

ELENI KOUTSILIANOS: Lauren Katz, my teammate, impressed me the most at the Dutch and German Open. She dominated all her matches in the junior division. She is incredibly young and talented. To me she is way ahead of her time and it is going to be interesting to see how she will elevate her game throughout the years. Expect amazing things to come from a young girl who I admire. Tim Thackrey also impressed me at the Dutch and German open because he has a different fighting style and it’s very effective. He is exciting to watch and learn from.

Q3: How cool is it to be teammates on this year’s Senior National team with Simone Devito, who is also from High Performance Tae Kwon Do center? Are you two different, as far as personalities go? How does it work with you two?

ELENI KOUTSILIANOS: For a very long time I was the only girl on my team. Every day I went to the locker room it felt kind of empty, like something was missing. I always dreamed and asked for teammate(s) such as my girls. It feels great to have someone by my side that is a true friend and teammate. We are different, yet in a way we have a special bond and click very well. Our personalities are different. Her soft spoken demeanor belies her fierce competitive nature. If you don’t know who she is, you would never realize this quiet, sincere person has so much fighting spirit. I love all my teammates.

Q4: In the last Olympic year of 2004, you won seven gold medals at various national and international events. How excited are you for 2008?

ELENI KOUTSILIANOS: I am extremely excited for 2008. The Olympics has a powerful impact on all of our lives as athletes. I believe the process of reconciling the past, overcoming obstacles through hard work and training each day will help pave the way to the Olympics. It is the process which is a unique journey because it truly is an event of a lifetime that I want to be a part of and this would not be possible with out my coach Jin Suh, teammates and family.

Q5: Do you have any pre-competition superstitions or rituals that you adhere to do?

ELENI KOUTSILIANOS: A day before I weigh in, regardless if I’m on or under, I don’t eat. The night before I always listen to music or watch an inspirational movie. I also go over in my head many things that helped me get to where I am. Last, I always read cards that I’ve had for many years. It triggers my emotions and fires me up.

Q6: How much have you changed from being a junior competitor to being a senior competitor?

ELENI KOUTSILIANOS: To be honest, I have not changed much. It feels like I have only been fighting seniors all my life. Since I was 12 years old I have been fighting seniors and nationally since I was 13 and eventually internationally. My coach, Jin Suh, has been physically and mentally training me the same since I was very young and it was just a matter of time. Physically, I am stronger and I am mentally wiser throughout my years of experience.

Q7: What are the top 10 artists and songs on your favorite play list?

ELENI KOUTSILIANOS: 50 cent, Stevie Wonder, Aliyaah, Chris Brown, Daddy Yankee, Deftones, Missy Elliot, Cynthia, Goo Goo Dolls, Mike Rizzo, Michael Jackson. The list can go on and on………

Try Again, Thriller*, Can’t Go On Global Radio, Change On Me, Alive, Dangerously In Love II, Hot boyz, I Wanna Be Free, Fallen ………….

Q8: Who is a superhero you'd want to be?

ELENI KOUTSILIANOS: I think I would pick Wonder Woman. She possesses several superhuman abilities. “She is beautiful as Aphrodite, wise as Athena, swifter than mercury and stronger than Hercules”.

Q9: What motivates you during a long practice session?

ELENI KOUTSILIANOS: I am building a fire. And everyday I train I add more fuel, at just the right moment I light the match, Mia Hamm. I try to envision myself being dominant, unusual, and different over the real love and passion for what I do.

Q10: What kind of car do you drive?

ELENI KOUTSILIANOS: One of the race cars from The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift. NOT!! How did you know I just bought a new car? I drive a 2006 Kia Spectra 5. It is spark blue and it is a very special car because I bought it by myself..