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

Q1: Do you have any pre-competition superstitions or rituals that you adhere to?

LUIS REYES: Not really, although during competition days I always wake up early and stretch out well before taking a shower.

Q2: Tell the story of how you began Taekwondo while vacationing in the Philippines at age 15.

LUIS REYES: It was our summer break here when I went to visit and I had a friend over there that was doing it (Taekwondo) and he convinced me to try it and I did and that was it.

Q3: What’s the past year been like for you?

LUIS REYES: The past year has been good, even though I have not gotten the results I wanted at some tournaments. I think physically and technically I'm progressing just fine.

Q4: What’s something folks can do in your area – your hometown of Van Nuys, Calif. – that we wouldn’t think of doing just going by tourist brochures??

LUIS REYES: Going to a farmers market and getting the freshest organic fruits and vegetables.

Q5: Are you into technology and the Internet?

LUIS REYES: Yes, I do own a laptop, a PDA cell phone, IPod, PSP and many more gadgets.

Q6: You’re a native of the Philippines, becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1996. Did you ever compete internationally for the Philippines?

LUIS REYES: I competed there as a junior, fought nationals twice, won once and I also got the best fighter award, but never competed for them internationally.

Q7: What’s your best advice to deal with losing or other setbacks?

LUIS REYES: Just develop a passion for whatever it is that you do and that would make it easier to deal with losses and other setbacks.

Q8: Have you reached all your goals this year?

LUIS REYES: No, not yet. But I still have two chances to medal internationally - the World Cup in September or the Pan Am Championship in November. I also want to win in a major Brazilian Jui-jitsu tournament.

Q9: How supportive are your parents with your Taekwondo? Did either of them compete in the sport?

LUIS REYES: They are very supportive. My dad just started competing three years ago, he actually learned Taekwondo from me, my brother and my sister.

Q10: How often do you get back to the Philippines to visit family and how many family members live there?

LUIS REYES: The last time I went back was two years ago. I'd go more often but I've just been busy training, competing and everything. Everyone on my dad's side of the family is in the Philippines.