Toni Kanaet

Toni Kanaet is an Olympic medalist and a highly decorated taekwondo practitioner from Croatia, known for his consistent performance at international competitions. After becoming the European Cadet Champion in Zagreb in 2009 in the -57kg category, Toni Kanaet established himself as a formidable talent in taekwondo. This breakthrough followed earlier successes, including a silver medal at the 2008 Austrian Open (-45kg cadets) and a gold at the 2009 Austrian Open (-57kg cadets). Kanaet continued his ascent through the youth and junior ranks, consistently earning medals at open tournaments across Europe, notably securing a gold at the 2011 Croatia Open.

This historic achievement marked Croatia’s first Olympic medal in men’s taekwondo, and the first men’s martial arts medal for Split at the games. Beyond his Olympic success, Kanaet has consistently excelled in Grand Prix events, securing bronze medals in Rome and Moscow in 2018, and Chiba in 2019, all in the -80kg senior division. He has also demonstrated his enduring presence at the sport’s highest level through participation in numerous World Championships, including Sharm El-Sheikh in 2012, Chelyabinsk in 2015, and Manchester in 2019. His career record boasts an impressive 99 wins out of 149 registered fights, reflecting a robust 66.4% win rate.

Kanaet continues to compete at an elite level, reinforcing his status as a top-tier taekwondo athlete. Most recently, he achieved a gold medal at the 2024 European Championships in Belgrade in the -80kg senior category. This latest victory underscores his ongoing relevance and competitive spirit in the international taekwondo scene, as he consistently strives for excellence and further cements his legacy in the sport.