Paris 2024 taekwondo: All results, as Islamic Republic of Iran’s Arian Salimi battles to brilliant men’s +80kg gold

Arian Salimi of Islamic Republic of Iran fought to an impressive victory over Great Britain’s Caden Cunningham in the taekwondo men’s +80kg event at Paris 2024 on Saturday, 10 August.

The Iranian battled valiantly after being one round down in a cagey but fascinating contest in the men’s heavyweight category. The second round saw Salimi land frequently before the Olympic title was decided in the last seconds of the final round as Salimi scored the decisive blows.

"I am 20 years old and sure I have planned for the next three Olympic Games," Salimi said as he looked forward to a bright future in the sport. "I am going to start step-by-step [towards] Los Angeles 2028 and then the other Olympics."

Silver medallist Cunningham can leave Paris with his head held high after the 21-year-old went on an excellent run that only ended in defeat after a highly competitive final.

"To come and beat three world champions and three Olympic medallists and to come up against a fighter like that, it is a good day," he said. "It is the start of whatever I want it to be. If I stay in this, I will be the king of taekwondo in the next four years."

Earlier in the evening, Cuba’s Rafael Alba took the first bronze medal in the category, defeating Ivan Sapina of Croatia in two rounds.

"I still haven’t realised I won another medal," an emotional Alba said after his bout. "In Tokyo, I already won a bronze medal, but this one, for me, this has a much more important value.

"People only see the beautiful part of sports: the athlete that wins, the athlete that stands tall in the middle of a stage under the lights with the audience cheering him on. But many don’t see the dark side of sport: the injuries, in my case operations, being far from home without being able to do a lot of things that steal your youth.

"So yes, this medal is golden for me. I’m an Olympic champion today, for the simple fact that I faced champions today and got out with a medal. It’s the result of all my sacrifices."

The second bronze-medal bout was a much closer affair, with Côte d'Ivoire’s Cheick Sallah Cisse defeating Mexico’s Carlos Sansores over three rounds.

"When you represent 26 million Ivorians, whatever happens, you have to look for a medal," said Cisse.

"My nation's youth, my family, they all support me. They've pushed me, mentally, they were with me, they prayed for me."

Paris 2024 taekwondo: Men’s +80kg podium

Gold: Arian Salimi (Islamic Republic of Iran)

Silver: Caden Cunningham (Great Britain)

Bronze: Rafael Alba (Cuba); Cheick Sallah Cisse (Côte d'Ivoire)

Discover all the Paris 2024 results on Olympics.com