Not even nerves can stop Caden Cunningham from conquering the world of Olympic taekwondo.
Cunningham battled to silver in the men's +80kg heavyweight category at Paris 2024, falling at the final hurdle against Iran's Arian Salimi.
The 21-year-old admitted that his performance might have been hampered due to nerves on the day, embarking on his maiden Olympics in the French capital in front of 9,000 people - the largest crowd in front of which he had ever performed.
In fact, the taekwondo athlete believes that he still had a further 60 per cent to give in that Olympic final against Salimi.
But with a silver medal around his neck and a fruitful career ahead, Cunningham now plans to harness his strengths and become the new king of heavyweight taekwondo.
It's SILVER for Caden Cunningham! 🥈
— Team GB (@TeamGB) August 10, 2024
The 21-year-old falls to a 2-1 defeat to Arian Salimi of Iran in the gold medal contest.#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/UgRzCpmApH
"Nerves always come," he said. "I can definitely do better. During the Olympics you get nerves and things get reserved compared to training.
"I got that silver using 40 per cent of my arsenal so when I learn and figure out how to use everything in the middle of a fight effectively and with purpose, then it's going to be a big problem for these heavyweights.
"I'm someone that can conquer taekwondo for the next five years.
"Whatever I choose, I'll master."
Cunningham didn't have the best preparation ahead of his maiden Olympics, tearing his ACL in early 2023 which hampered his chance at qualification.
But with the European Games crown and a Grand Prix victory under his belt, the Huddersfield-born fighter clawed his way into the Grand Palais through sheer determination.
"I've only been in the heavyweight category for two years which has been a real challenge trying to mange my body weight," he said.
"In my first year at the weight, I tore my ACL which put my qualification for Paris up in the air.
"That would have scared most people but I knew it was just another chapter to my story and would make the medal nice and sweet.
"I came back within the next six months and powered through to get qualified."
Three roaring victories - all over former world or Olympic champions - placed Cunningham in the gold medal match on his Olympic debut.
The Brit went up 6-3 in the opening round against Salimi but the Iranian bit back to win 9-1 in the second and force a decider. And despite a strong start, Cunningham was made to settle for second on the day.
Cunningham has now established himself as one-to-watch at every competition he enters. After all, not just anyone can win an Olympic medal.
But the 21-year-old is welcoming the pressure of being one to beat and hopes that his performance in Paris can only continue to expose the British public to the wonderful world of taekwondo and inspire others to take to the mat.
"Within taekwondo, people have been speaking about me for a little while now," he said.
"I won a Grand Prix last year and the European Games and I am the youngest heavyweight to win either of those competitions which I'm proud of.
"It feels amazing to earn that respect with people. I will always lose with grace if that's the way that fight has gone.
"I'm hoping that after the Olympics, not for personal gain, but that people pay attention to myself to be inspired and really thrive in their life."
Sportsbeat 2024