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

Q1: Has your life changed drastically since winning the silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games?

NIA ABDALLAH: Yes and no. I have gotten a lot more attention especially in the Taekwondo world, but I still think I have to prove myself in every fight. That is the beauty of this sport; you always have to stay on top of your game.

Q2: Do you see Taekwondo as a sport or as a lifestyle?

NIA ABDALLAH: Both, because I think that all sports become a lifestyle when you get to a certain level.

Q3: What are your goals for the upcoming international events in 2006?

NIA ABDALLAH: This year I want to get back on top. The loss at worlds hurt me and my weight class for 2008, but it is good because now I HAVE to do well from now on. I think I work better under pressure.

Q4: How are you balancing being an elite-level athlete as well as a mother?

NIA ABDALLAH: It is hard, but my parents are the best support system anyone can ask for. I don’t get to spend as much time as I want to with Lela but it is all for her. She is now the reason why I do any of this.

Q5: What do you enjoy doing most in your spare time?

NIA ABDALLAH: Listening to music and watching DVDs. I have the biggest CD and DVD collection. I am the BIGGEST Simpsons fan you will ever meet so I watch that show whenever possible.

Q6: What’s the Christmas present you most fondly remember receiving?

NIA ABDALLAH: My first and only pair of Jordans. I grew up in the age of Jordan basketball shoes. A new one came out like every month and my parents would not buy them for me. They would say they cost too much and that I would wear them out too fast, (which was the truth) but I didn’t want to hear that. By that Christmas I had given up on getting Jordans and I said that I was going to have my own shoe and all of my peers that had Jordans would be buying NIAs for their kids (this is still one of my goals). I guess my parents felt bad that I didn’t have one pair so they got it for me. I loved those shoes and now that I am older I buy new shoes all the time, except now I wear Nike Shox. It is a habit that I have. Now that I think about it I just bought some new Shox last week.

Q7: You are the first female to be nominated for the Taekwondo Hall of Fame while still competing. How do you feel about that honor?

NIA ABDALLAH: It is a great honor. I thank God everyday that he has allowed me to do half of the stuff I am able to do. I am just glad that the people in Taekwondo can see the great athlete that I have always been. And now people can look at me and see that dreams can come true if you work hard enough.

Q8: What are your plans after your competitive career is over?

NIA ABDALLAH: I aspire to one day open a Daycare/Taekwondo facility in a economically disadvantaged area. I want to assist our country with its obesity problems in the young and old by providing a place that meets the needs of two important areas in today’s society ... one being quality childcare and the other being physical health. I feel this facility would provide convenience, promote and motivate families to get fit together, while spending quality family time.

Q9: Which would you rather do: play a round of golf with Michelle Wie, take a spin around the track at 200 miles an hour at the Indy 500 with Danica Patrick, or do a sparring session with Laila Ali?

NIA ABDALLAH: Not even a question. I would spar with Ali. First, I would love to meet her, I am a big fan. Second, I will always be a fighter at heart. And third, I want to be in a elite few that can say they where in the ring with an Ali and lived to tell the story.

Q10: What word or words do you think your closest friends would use to describe you?

NIA ABDALLAH: Always a laugh, fun to be with, hard worker, loyal, loves music, loves the Simpsons, can talk too much, loving, soft tempered, smart.