2nd Lt. Steven Ostrander, right, lands a kick against an opponent during the U.S. National Taekwando Championship in Austin, Texas. Ostrander won a gold medal at the event.

By Tim Hipps
FMWRC Public Affairs

Army 2nd Lt. Steven Ostrander struck gold, and Sgts. William Rider and Louis Davis won silver medals at the 2009 U.S. National Taekwondo Championships on July 5.

Ostrander, a U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program martial artist from San Antonio, celebrated a homecoming of sorts by winning his third national crown before family and friends at the Austin Convention Center.

Ostrander’s mother, father, nephew and two best friends since first grade witnessed his dominating performance on the national stage.

“My friends had never seen me fight, and my parents had not seen me fight live, both of them together, since 2001,” Ostrander said. “I’ve been fighting all over the place and it’s hard to get out and see me, so being here in Austin was really a treat.”

Read the full story on the Army MWR Web site