Abdallah was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and was introduced to taekwondo by her stepfather when she was nine years old.

After graduating from George Washington Carver High School in Houston, she went to live in Colorado Springs.

Abdallah represented her country at the 2004 Olympics, where she won the silver medal.

While trying to earn her spot to compete for her second gold medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Abdallah found herself at the center of controversy.

Diana Lopez was receiving national attention for her hopes of joining her two brothers representing the United States in taekwondo.