Carmen Marton and Safwan Khalil
Top-level athletes often bump into the same people, whether at the gym or during competitions. This was true for Australian Taekwondo competitors Carmen Marton and Safwan Khalil, who frequently saw each other at various sporting events. These repeated encounters eventually brought them together as they navigated the world of Taekwondo, always recognizing a familiar face.
The two met at the 2002 World Junior Taekwondo Championships in Greece but didn't start dating until several years later. As Olympic competitors with refugee backgrounds, they found even more common ground, strengthening their bond through shared experiences both on and off the mat.
