Great Britain once again demonstrated its status as one of Europe’s leading Taekwondo nations at the 2026 European Taekwondo Championships in Munich, with a series of outstanding performances earning seven medals across the week; three gold, one silver, and three bronze.
Leading the charge was 2024 Olympic silver medallist Caden Cunningham, who successfully defended his +87kg European title in emphatic fashion. Having risen through the ranks at Quest Taekwondo in Yorkshire, the 22-year-old continues to excel on the international stage.
Having overcome opponents from Serbia, Italy and Belarus en route to the final, Caden once again showcased the composure and explosive quality that has established him among the sport’s elite competitors when overcoming Spain’s Ivan Garcia Martinez in the final to see himself back on top of the podium.
Having entered the tournament with the pressure that comes with being reigning champion, Caden rose to the occasion superbly, navigating a high-level field with maturity and confidence to retain his crown and secure back-to-back European gold medals.
His success in Munich further cements his reputation as one of Britain’s brightest Taekwondo stars and continues what has already been a remarkable rise on the international stage.
Joining Caden at the top of the podium was 2024 Paralympic gold medallists Matt Bush and Amy Truesdale, who delivered statement performances to claim European gold. Bush’s experience and tactical quality in the K44 Male +80kg division were evident throughout the competition as he battled through a strong field to once again demonstrate why he remains one of the most respected athletes on the European circuit.
After overcoming Adem Arda Ozkul in the semi-final, Matt was pushed all the way by Ivan Mikulic in a sensational showdown but managed to edge each fight to earn gold, and even treated those watching on to a celebratory jig once his victory had been confirmed.
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In the K44 Female +65kg category, Amy Truesdale continued her extraordinary legacy by securing an incredible seventh European title.
Already one of the most decorated athletes in British Taekwondo history, Truesdale once again proved untouchable on the continental stage, defeating Türkiye’s Fatma Nur Yoldas in the last four before seeing off Greek athlete Eleni Papastamatopoulou in the final. Her consistency at the very highest level of the sport remains remarkable, and her latest triumph adds yet another chapter to an already iconic career.
Lauren Williams came agonisingly close to European glory after battling her way to the final of the +73kg Female divison in Germany, before narrowly missing out on gold to take home silver.
After showcasing the range her complete range of technique and skill during the early rounds, Lauren saw off competitors from Belarus, Croatia and Poland before coming up against home favourite Lorena Brandl in the final.
Williams pushed her opponent all the way in a fiercely contested bout, demonstrating the technical quality and fighting spirit that have made her one of Britain’s most consistent performers on the international stage.
Though the gold medal narrowly escaped her grasp, her silver-medal performance represented another major achievement and further evidence of her ability to compete with the very best in Europe.
There was also a memorable bronze medal for Rebecca McGowan, who showed incredible focus and professionalism in Munich following a whirlwind few days off the mats. Fresh from marrying fellow GB Taekwondo star Bradly Sinden at the weekend, the Raw Taekwondo coach and former Caledonian Taekwondo student fought valiantly throughout the championships to secure her place on the podium.
Seeded 11th heading into the competition, Rebecca defeated sixth seed Mila Mastelic of Croatia in the Round of 16, before third seed Nadica Bozanic of Serbia was despatched in the quarter-finals. Alas, a showdown with eventual silver-medallist Sude Yaren Uzuncavdar of Türkiye proved a bridge too far, although she now has a bronze medal to go with the ring around her finger.
The championships also marked significant breakthrough moments for the next generation of British talent, with Jodie McKew and Matt Howell earning the first European medals of their careers, underlining the exciting depth emerging throughout the British pathway.
Consecutive continental crowns
Caden Cunningham celebrates retaining his European title with his club coach from Quest Taekwondo, Mike McKenzie
For young athletes, a first senior European medal represents a major milestone, a moment that validates years of hard work, sacrifice, and development. Their podium finishes in Munich not only reflect their own progress, but also highlight the strength of the programmes and clubs continuing to develop world-class athletes across the UK.
Matt, who also helps to coach the next generation at NTC, underlined his reputation as one of Britain’s brightest talents by surging through a stacked field in the -68kg Male division to earn bronze, with that medal the culmination of years of graft and hard work.
Having excelled as a Cadet and Junior in his early years, the continental recognition is no less than the 23-year-old deserves, with even more to come from the promising talent in the future.
Having trained at Apex Taekwondo and currently coaching at the Martin Stamper Taekwondo Academy, Jodie is another of the British Taekwondo success stories, and she highlighted her prowess on the mats to earn a first European medal in Germany.
Entering the -53kg competition at the Round of 16 stage, Jodie overcame France’s Marissa Lakehal-Rollings and Israel’s Ariel Vigdor to reach the final four, and secure herself a spot on the podium.
A battle with Bulgaria’s Erika Karabeleva was next, and despite losing 2-0 to the eventual silver-medallist, Jodie will be heading back to the National Taekwondo Centre with her head held high after a breakthrough moment on the mats in Munich.
Elsewhere, Jamie McIntosh exited the -63kg Male division in the Round of 32, while Joseph Lane had to withdraw from the K44 -80kg Male category. Zack Sarsoza was beaten in the Round of 32 in the -54kg Male class, while Farzad Mansouri reached the Round of 16 in the Male -80kg section.
The performances across the week showcased a squad capable of blending experience with emerging talent. Established champions continued to deliver under pressure, while the next generation demonstrated they are more than ready to step onto the European stage.
Collectively, the results reinforce Great Britain’s standing as one of the leading forces in European Taekwondo. From Olympic medallists and world-class champions to rising stars earning their first major podium finishes, the team’s success in Munich reflected the dedication and commitment running throughout Taekwondo in Great Britain at every level.
The championships also served as another important step on the road towards future global competition, with athletes continuing to build momentum and valuable ranking points against elite international opposition.
From defending titles to creating first-time memories on the podium, the 2026 European Taekwondo Championships proved to be another landmark moment for Great Britain on the continental stage.
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