30th September 2022

Lutalo Muhammad, Britain’s most decorated Olympic taekwondo male athlete, has ended his search for an Olympic gold medal.

The London 2012 Games bronze medallist and Rio 2016 silver medallist, now 31, hopes to use his significant experience in combat sport to “pursue new opportunities”.

The announcement comes almost 11 years since a raw but talented teenager first joined the GB Academy and World Class Programme (WCP) in Manchester.

Gary Hall, GB Taekwondo’s Performance Director, said: “Everyone at GB Taekwondo, me included, recognises the immense contribution Lutalo has made to the World Class Programme and to the history of the sport since he has been with us.

“He is one of our most decorated Olympians and is hugely respected wherever he goes.

“We acknowledge all the tremendous work he has done in helping to raise taekwondo’s profile in this country, on and off the mat.

“But I am sure he will be the first to agree he’s received outstanding support from GBT and the National Lottery. We wish Lutalo all the best for whatever he chooses to do.”

Within 12 months of securing his place on the WCP, the ‘Walthamstow Warrior’ won his first European title and justified selection for London 2012 by becoming the first male GB taekwondo player to claim an Olympic medal.

In 2016, he won the hearts of a nation after a heart breaking last second defeat to Ivory Coast’s Cheick Sallah Cisse in the -80kg final.

There was no redemption at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games as persistent injuries and minimal ring time dovetailed to scupper his selection chances.

In an Instagram post Muhammad said: “It was a dream come true as a Londoner to win a medal at London 2012, my home city and become the first British man to win an Olympic medal in Taekwondo.

“Although my Olympic journey is now over, I take great pride in the legacy that I will be leaving behind.

“My journey has been a blast, full of fantastic memories and great achievements, one that I will always be grateful for.

“I step away now knowing that this is not the fairy-tale ending, I would have loved to have gone for gold in Paris.

“I would like to thank my family, those at Team GB and all the athletes, staff and coaches at GB Taekwondo for giving me the opportunity to go to two Olympic Games and live out my boyhood dreams.

“Going forward, I hope to pursue new opportunities that maximise all my combat experience. To my fans, I thank you sincerely for your support! I know I have been blessed.”