Caden Cunningham Aims for Taekwondo Glory After Olympic Silver

Great Britain's Caden Cunningham has expressed his determination to become the "king of taekwondo" following his silver medal finish in the men’s +80kg category at the Paris Olympics. The 21-year-old from Huddersfield showcased his talent by defeating three world champions on his way to the final, where he narrowly lost to Iran’s Arian Salimi. Despite winning the first round 6-3, Cunningham was unable to maintain his lead, ultimately falling short in the subsequent rounds. Cunningham's journey to the Olympic final is particularly remarkable given his recent recovery from a serious knee injury sustained during the 2022 World Championships in Mexico. After months of rehabilitation, he made a cautious start in his first Olympic bout against Niger’s Abdoul Issoufou but gained momentum in later matches, including a thrilling victory over two-time world champion Rafael Alba from Cuba. His advancement to the final was determined by unscored registrations, highlighting the competitive nature of the sport. Reflecting on his performance, Cunningham emphasized that one match does not define his capabilities as a fighter. He remains optimistic about his future in taekwondo, citing his recent successes, including the World Grand Prix title in Italy and multiple European championships. "To come and beat three world champions... it’s a blooming good day," he stated, underscoring his resilience and ambition. Despite the disappointment of losing in the final, Cunningham remains focused on his goals, acknowledging the challenges of the sport while expressing confidence in his potential to dominate in the coming years.