Caden Cunningham is an accomplished British taekwondo practitioner who competes in the heavyweight division (+87 kg). His journey in taekwondo began at a young age, and in 2017, he made headlines by becoming the British Cadet champion in the male −49 kg category at the national finals in Manchester. This victory paved the way for his selection to represent Great Britain at the European Championships in Hungary later that year, showcasing his potential on the international stage.
Despite facing adversity during the 2022 World Championships, where he sustained a significant anterior cruciate ligament injury in his knee, Cunningham displayed remarkable resilience. He won his opening bout even while injured, although the setback forced him to take a break from competition for several months. This experience only fueled his determination to return stronger and more focused.
In June 2023, Cunningham achieved a major milestone by winning the +80 kg division at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Rome, defeating Uzbekistan’s Nikita Rafalovich in the final. His success continued as he was announced as part of the British squad for the 2023 European Games in Kraków, where he clinched the gold medal in the Men’s +87 kg division, further solidifying his reputation as a formidable competitor.
Looking ahead, Cunningham’s dedication and hard work paid off when he was selected to represent Great Britain at the 2024 Paris Olympics. There, he made history by winning the silver medal in the men’s +80 kg category, establishing himself as one of the top taekwondo athletes in the world and inspiring the next generation of fighters.