Olympic medallist Lutalo Muhammad trades taekwondo dobok for judo gi: How Paris 2024 sparked his passion for a new martial art
After covering judo at Paris 2024, Taekwondo Olympic medallist Lutalo Muhammad fell in love with the sport. Now, he’s swapped his role as a reporter for a white belt, starting his own judo journey.
Two-time Olympic taekwondo medallist Lutalo Muhammad of Great Britain recently traded his dobok (taekwondo uniform) for a judogi, following his experience as a media representative for Eurosport at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Following from the sidelines in the Champ de Mars Arena, Muhammad witnessed the world’s best judoka battling it out for Olympic glory, interviewing athletes just seconds in their moments of triumph and defeat. It was here, on the tatami and under the Olympic lights, that his passion for judo was ignited.
“It really did set my brain on fire. I had a massive respect for judo growing up. It felt like Paris was one of the best Olympics judo has had. For a first-timer like me, what better way was there to be introduced to the sport than that?" he told the IJF.
Just a few months later, Lutalo finds himself in a familiar yet humbling position, starting fresh as a judo white belt at the beginning of a new martial arts journey.
Lutalo Muhammad: "I fell in love with the Budo of Judo"
Muhammad came to Paris as a double Olympic medallist, silver in Rio 2016 and bronze in London 2012, but this time in a different role: as a media correspondent for Eurosport.
Tasked with capturing the energy of the competition for millions of viewers, Muhammad brought his infectious enthusiasm to the tatami’s edge, narrating the action as it unfolded and interviewing athletes in the seconds following.
"The Olympic judo competition couldn’t have been any better,” he reflected. “Superstar wins and losses, tears of devastation and joy. Being that close and interviewing athletes 25 seconds after they’ve secured their biggest achievement, I fell in love with the Budo of judo.”
One of the highlights? Watching the legendary Teddy Riner in action.
"When I competed in London, I remember Teddy being this giant, but from afar. Watching him from ringside in Paris was the experience of a lifetime. You really have to be there to feel the atmosphere."
Muhammad felt instantly connected to judo’s culture of values. "The respect, the bowing, all those specific parts of judo added to the flavour and character of the tournament. It felt like one of the best Olympic judo competitions ever. And then that mixed team final...wow!”
The experience was also deeply personal for him, especially meeting and working alongside his childhood idol, Neil Adams, a two-time Olympic judo silver medallist and now a commentator for the IJF. “I was a big fan of Neil Adams as a child, and judo was one of the strings of inspiration that led me to martial arts. My dad always said I could make it in Taekwondo, like Adams did in judo.”
And not only did he make it in Taekwondo, he made it all the way to standing beside his childhood hero.
Starting Judo
When Muhammad returned home to London with a suitcase full of Olympic swag, he knew what his next step had to be. He signed up for judo lessons.
“I dived straight into work on the mats after Paris and joined a wonderful club in London, the Ealing Judo Club. I actually met one of their members, Nekoda Davis, at the Rio 2016 Games while I was still competing in Taekwondo. Now, I’m a member of the same club!”
Even as an elite martial artist, starting a new sport was humbling. “I’ve so appreciated the welcome from the judo family. Even with extensive experience in martial arts, it’s daunting to walk into a new environment, but they’ve eased me in. The team, training partners, and coaches have been so warm. I almost feel bad because they let me throw them over and over again.”
Despite being a novice, Muhammad’s passion for judo continues to grow with every training session.
“The inspiration from the Games has carried me through to this point. I knew I was a big fan while I was in Paris, but I’ve fallen even more in love with judo since, it’s become a bit of an obsession! My parents are buzzing with it too. The respect I have for judo really came from my dad, who helped make martial arts accessible and visible. They love that I’m now doing another martial art after retiring from elite competition in Taekwondo. And I guess it keeps me out of their hair too!” the white belt said.