From that moment, Taekwondo became my life.
Lutalo Muhammad, Olympic athlete
Daley Thompson
THE TOUGHEST COMPETITOR
GREAT BRITAIN'S LUTALO MUHAMMAD SUFFERED AN AGONISING LAST-SECOND DEFEAT IN THE MEN'S TAEKWONDO FINAL AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES RIO 2016 – HE TOOK SILVER, BUT HIS DREAM OF GOLD STILL SHINES BRIGHT. Bridgestone is proud to support Lutalo as he chases his dream of qualification to the Olympic Games Paris 2024
Lutalo Muhammad was born on 3 June 1991 in Walthamstow, London. By the age of 3 he was already practicing the notoriously fast-kicking Korean martial art – Taekwondo. One of his earliest memories is lining up with his brothers in front of their father, his first coach, all learning the moves together.
Lutalo's first competition came at the tender age of seven, when he was so nervous, as he approached the ring he threw up. His father quickly took him aside and at that moment taught him an invaluable life lesson. Those nerves are nothing to shy away from; that nervous energy can be channelled and directed into the fight. So Lutalo took a deep breath, stepped onto the mats, and won.
It was watching the Taekwondo Final on TV with his dad at the Olympic Games Sydney 2000 that ignited Lutalo’s dream to become an Olympic Games Champion.
My dad leaned over to me and said 'you could do this one day, you could go to the Olympic Games and win'.
Lutalo Muhammad, Olympic athlete
Aged 9, he even drew his dream on a piece of paper; titled 'Olympic champion 2016” So when the Olympic Games Rio 2016 came around, Lutalo believed his moment had arrived. This was his destiny. He was convinced he would bring home the gold for Great Britain.
He fought like a champion through every round. Then, with just seconds to go in the final fight and 2 points ahead, his opponent released a surprise reverse turning kick to the head, scoring 4 points and snatching the gold dream from Lutalo's grasp. The world watched as he was consumed by heartbreak and lost in floods of tears.
Yes I was devastated I didn’t win, but I could still be proud of myself and what I’d achieved.
Lutalo Muhammad, Olympic athlete
Since his agonising last-second defeat Lutalo has suffered a host of injuries, but true battlers will never stay down for long, no matter what. He's fought his way back to fitness and has since won gold in the French Open heavyweight final in Paris, 2019. He will never stop fighting in pursuit of his childhood dream.
Because I now know that every second counts, and I’m never wasting another second again. That Olympic gold will be mine.
Lutalo Muhammad, Olympic athlete
Sporting Achievements
1 x Olympic Games silver Rio 2016
1 x Olympic Games bronze London 2012
1 x Commonwealth Games gold Glasgow 2014
1 x European Champion Taekwondo Manchester 2012
2 x World Grand Prix Winner Mexico City 2012, Manchester 2013
Other ambassador
Lutalo Muhammad
CHASE YOUR DREAM, NO MATTER WHAT
No one is born an Olympian. Olympians are made. They are moulded from more than strength and speed, they are made from something else. They express absolute focus on the road to their dreams. For decades we’ve been keeping and recognizing those on track. Whatever their journey, no matter the conditions, this is our passion. So whatever you want to achieve, Olympic glory or an everyday goal, keep going. Stay true. Chase your dream, no matter what.