Khalfani Harris, a combat engineer for the US Army, is aiming to compete in the taekwondo at next year's Olympics in Paris after qualifying for this year's World Championships ©US Army

American soldier Khalfani Harris has secured his place in the United States’ taekwondo team as he bids to compete at next year’s Olympics in Paris.

Harris, a combat engineer who joined the army in 2020, has qualified in the men’s under-68 kilogram division following his success at the US world team trials.

Competing at the Cox Business Convention Center in Oklahoma, Harris produced a dominant performance in both of his matches to seal his spot in the US team.

"I was nervous coming into this competition, but knew I was ready to get the job done," said Harris.

"I saw so many openings to gain points and took as much advantage of those as I could, and knew I had to secure the win in the second round."

Khalfani Harris, leftl, won both of his matches at the US Taekwondo team trials in Oklahoma ©US Army
Khalfani Harris, leftl, won both of his matches at the US Taekwondo team trials in Oklahoma ©US Army

Harris, a member of the US Army World Class Athlete Program, defeated Isiah Young 12-3, 15-1 before seeing off James Choi 8-6, 14-9.

"Harris' dedication and dedication to his training regime and coaches reminds us that anything is possible when you have a teammate in your corner," said Jose Santiago, first sergeant at the US Army World Class Athlete Program.

"His level of hard work and dedication is what the World Class Athlete Program is all about while having the honour of representing the US Army."

Harris will be looking to compete at this year’s World Taekwondo Championships, scheduled to be held in Baku in Azerbaijan from May 29 to June 3, as he looks to represent the US at Paris 2024.

The Florida-born athlete competed at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires before becoming national men’s under-68kg champion a year later.