1. Overview
Jaqueline Rose Sanchez Galloway (Jaqueline Rose Sanchez GallowaySpanish, born December 27, 1995), widely known as Jackie Galloway, is a distinguished American-Mexican taekwondo practitioner. She notably earned a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, a testament to her dedication and skill in international sports. Holding dual American and Mexican nationality, Galloway represents a unique blend of heritage in her athletic career. Beyond her significant achievements on the mat, she has also pursued higher education in engineering at Southern Methodist University, balancing athletic excellence with academic rigor. This article delves into Galloway's early life, her journey through the ranks of competitive taekwondo, her major international successes, and her personal pursuits outside of sport.
2. Early Life and Background
Jackie Galloway's formative years laid the groundwork for her future achievements, encompassing her birth, education, and development of personal interests that extended beyond her athletic pursuits.
2.1. Birth and Education
Jaqueline Rose Sanchez Galloway was born on December 27, 1995, in Crown Point, Indiana, United States. Her academic journey led her to Southern Methodist University, where she pursued a demanding major in engineering, demonstrating her commitment to both intellectual and physical development.
2.2. Nationality and Personal Interests
Galloway holds dual citizenship, being a national of both the United States and Mexico, reflecting her diverse heritage. She resides in Wylie, Texas. In addition to her burgeoning taekwondo career, she engaged in other activities during her university years, notably participating as a member of the rowing team at Southern Methodist University. She stands at a height of 5.8 ft (1.78 m) and weighs 161 lb (73 kg).
3. Sports Career
Jackie Galloway's sports career is defined by a consistent trajectory of excellence, culminating in an Olympic medal and numerous podium finishes across major international taekwondo competitions. Her journey showcases her dedication and progression within the heavyweight category.
3.1. Early Career and Junior Competition Results
Galloway began her competitive taekwondo career early, achieving success even in her junior years. A significant early accomplishment was securing a bronze medal in the 68 kg division at the 2012 World Junior Championships held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
3.2. 2012 Season
In the 2012 season, Galloway's talent was recognized internationally when she was designated as an alternate for the Mexican national taekwondo team at the London Olympic Games.
3.3. 2015 Season
The 2015 season marked a pivotal period in Galloway's career, highlighted by several major achievements. She earned a bronze medal at the 2015 World Taekwondo Championships in Chelyabinsk, Russia, competing in the middleweight category. Her strong performance throughout the year enabled her to secure a direct qualification spot for the 2016 Summer Olympics by being among the top six ranked competitors in her weight class. Further solidifying her status, Galloway also claimed gold medals at the 2015 World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Samsun, Turkey, and the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, both in the +67 kg division.
3.4. 2016 Summer Olympics
At the pinnacle of her amateur career, Jackie Galloway competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. There, she achieved a significant milestone by winning a bronze medal in the women's +67 kg taekwondo event, marking her as an Olympic medalist.
3.5. Post-Olympic Career
Following her Olympic success, Galloway continued to be a formidable presence in international taekwondo. At the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships in Muju, South Korea, she secured a silver medal in the women's heavyweight division, demonstrating her continued competitive edge. She also added another bronze medal to her collection at the 2016 World Taekwondo Grand Prix held in Baku, Azerbaijan, competing in the +67 kg category.
3.6. Major International Competition Records
Jackie Galloway's distinguished career is marked by the following medal records from major international taekwondo tournaments:
| Competition | Year | Location | Medal | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic Games | 2016 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Bronze | +67 kg |
| World Championships | 2015 | Chelyabinsk, Russia | Bronze | Middleweight |
| 2017 | Muju, South Korea | Silver | Heavyweight | |
| Grand Prix | 2014 | Astana, Kazakhstan | Gold | +67 kg |
| 2015 | Samsun, Turkey | Gold | +67 kg | |
| 2016 | Baku, Azerbaijan | Bronze | +67 kg | |
| Pan American Games | 2015 | Toronto, Canada | Gold | +67 kg |
| Pan American Championships | 2014 | Portland, United States | Gold | Heavyweight |
| 2016 | Aguascalientes, Mexico | Silver | Heavyweight | |
| World Junior Championships | 2012 | Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt | Bronze | 68 kg |
4. Personal Life
Beyond her athletic pursuits, Jackie Galloway has actively engaged in her academic and personal development, demonstrating a well-rounded commitment to various aspects of her life.
Jackie Galloway is an engineering student at Southern Methodist University. During her time as a student, she also participated in the university's rowing team. Her residence is in Wylie, Texas.