Toni Kanaet

Toni Kanaet was born on September 4, 1995, in Split, Croatia. He began his taekwondo career in his youth, demonstrating early promise in the sport. His competitive journey started with a silver medal at the 2008 Austrian Open in the cadets -45kg category, followed swiftly by a gold at the 2009 Austrian Open in the -57kg cadets. Later that year, he secured his first major international title, becoming the European Cadet Champion in Zagreb, competing in the -57kg category. These initial successes laid the foundation for his professional career, showcasing his potential as a formidable competitor. Kanaet continued to progress through the youth and junior ranks, consistently medaling at open tournaments across Europe, which included gold at the 2011 Croatia Open and multiple bronze and silver medals throughout various championships.

As he transitioned into senior competitions, Kanaet maintained a strong presence. He earned a silver medal at the 2016 European Championships in Montreux in the -74kg category, marking a significant achievement at the continental level. His dedication culminated in an Olympic bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games in the men’s -80kg taekwondo event, representing Croatia. This historic achievement was Croatia’s first Olympic medal in men’s taekwondo, and the first men’s martial arts medal for Split at the games. Beyond the Olympics, Kanaet has a notable record 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 achieved gold medals at the European Championships in Kazan (2018, -74kg) and Belgrade (2024, -80kg), further solidifying his status as a top-tier taekwondo athlete.

His career is marked by participation in numerous World Championships, including Sharm El-Sheikh (2012), Chelyabinsk (2015), and Manchester (2019). Kanaet’s sustained performance and numerous medal wins across various international tournaments highlight his consistent skill and dedication in the sport of taekwondo. With 99 wins out of 149 registered fights, he boasts a 66.4% win rate. He continues to compete at a high level, having recently won gold at the 2024 European Championships, underscoring his ongoing relevance and competitive spirit in the international taekwondo scene.