16th November 2019

Teenager Caden Cunningham faces the biggest test of his fledging taekwondo career when making his debut at the French Open in Paris this weekend.

The Yorkshire prospect only officially joined the GB Taekwondo Academy in Manchester back in June.

But the Quest Taekwondo starlet, who fought at the 2018 junior World Championships, can’t wait to make his bow in the French capital.

At the other end of the experience scale twice Olympic medallist Lutalo Muhammad, a French Open bronze medallist five years ago, faces another heavyweight outing alongside fellow Brit, Jack Spall.

“I am feeling very confident and excited to showcase my talent and perform to the best I can,” says Huddersfield raised Cunningham who joins Liverpudlian Josh Calland in the -68kg weight division.

“My preparation has gone really well leading up to this competition and has got me in the right mindset.

“I have never fought at the French Open and winning here would mean a lot.

“I have always wanted to fight at this competition and I would love to finish 2019 on a high.

“The highlight of 2019 for me has been moving to Manchester and getting the chance to train among the world’s best and challenge myself to discover my true potential as a fighter and as an athlete.”

Mason Yarrow, who competed at last year’s Youth Olympic Games, fights at -58kg in tandem with Scot Hassan Haider. Completing the seven-strong squad is Maddison Moore who followed up her debut at the 2019 World Championships with gold medals at the Austrian and Luxembourg Opens.

Squad:

Male:

-58kg Mason Yarrow (Doncaster), Hassan Haider (Falkirk)

-68kg: Josh Calland (Liverpool), Caden Cunningham (Huddersfield)

+87kg: Lutalo Muhammad (Walthamstow), Jack Spall (Attleborough)

Female:

-49kg: Maddison Moore (Blakedown)