Bailey Lewis

Growing up in Melbourne’s western suburbs, Bailey Lewis was enjoying himself at a local fete as a five-year-old when he spotted a taekwondo demonstration and liked the look of it.

Pretty soon he was on the mats at City West Taekwondo, learning the skills that would eventually take him to an Olympics.

“As I progressed through the ranks, I took an interest into the sparring aspect of taekwondo and was able to join the junior fight team,” Bailey said.

“However, I did not always stand out as a talented fighter amongst the team, but with great teammates, coaches and smart discipline training I was able to work my way up to being a world ranked athlete.”

In 2017, Bailey claimed a world ranking of No. 20 in the under-54kg division and in 2019 he made it to the quarter-finals of the Taekwondo World Championships, finishing fifth.

Bailey continued to train hard throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and as the sport came back to life he registered a series of strong performances.

In 2022 he won a bronze medal at the Korean Open in Chuncheon. After fighting through to the semi-final, he lost the third round on superiority after scores were tied.

In 2023, Bailey added many new stamps to his passport as he took part in tournaments around the world. Competing in the 58kg division, he reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, finished ninth at the world championships in Azerbaijan and performed well at grand prix tournaments in France, Italy and China.

Bailey nailed down his place at the Paris Games at an Oceania Olympic qualifying tournament in Honiara, Solomon Islands, in early 2024.

With only the highest-placed athlete in each weight class qualifying, Bailey had to win gold in the 58kg division to make the cut. He defeated home favourite Isaac Myrie in the gold medal match.

At the Paris 2024 Games, Bailey made his Olympic debut as he competed in the -58kg division.

After progressing through the round of 16, Bailey was given his toughest challenge yet, a quarter-final against reigning Olympic silver medallist and world number one, Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi, with the latter taking the win 2-0.