Question: What you get if you cross data science and artificial intelligence with an ability to
kick people?
Answer: Bradly Sinden, an Olympian who’s getting himself prepared to represent the UK in
taekwondo sub 60Kg category.
Having narrowly missed out on the gold medal at the Tokyo games, Bradley is a person
completely focused on achieving gold at the Paris Olympics.
His preparation are meticulous, even to the extent of, at a young age, giving up playing
football so that he wasn’t leaving himself open to injuries that would affect his preferred sport.
Olympians can get to visit various exotic places such as Rio, Tokyo, etc. but it’s not always
possible to enjoy and fully indulge themselves in the experience.
For example, in Tokyo, Bradly was unable to attend the opening ceremony because of the
impact any effects of dehydration would have had on his body, especially if he was stood
around or walking in the heat for such a long period of time.
For Paris the taekwondo team will not be leaving until the 4th of August and the first bout will
be on the 8th, whilst other categories will be on the 10th. All the rounds for a weight division
will take place on one day.
That does not mean the Olympians are just turning up and paying a flying visit; it will allow
them to focus and hone their training back in the UK, working with carefully selected
opponents from around the globe who can actually pose new challenges.
Bradly’s approach to preparation is that as soon as he gets there, the local supermarkets etc.
will be sought out to allow him to source is nutritional requirements. Again, it’s the attention to
detail in order to help him in his objective of a gold medal that’s contagious.
He’s aware though that you can’t put yourself in a bubble and not take part in any physical
encounters for a month or so. Hence the workouts and simulation days at the UK
Taekwondo centre in Manchester.
It does not mean though that athletes will totally miss out on the opening parade and
celebrations. The centre will be hosting an opening day celebration, which will allow
completions and the all important support teams and coaches that will not have departed, to
meet up, see their family, and experience the actual opening ceremony albeit not in person.
That event will contribute towards the camaraderie and a sense of togetherness which is all
too essential for supporting athletes on their long road to hopefully winning a medal.
Constantly pushing yourself for Bradly also means progressing in the educational field. So, in
October he hopes to start a Masters in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.
This parallel path doesn’t mean that his taekwondo career will be over after Paris, more that
he recognises an athlete’s career maybe abruptly, unexpectedly, shortened by injuries.
So it’s necessary to have a plan B, even outside of competition.
One thing Bradly could potentially develop as part of a backup discipline, would be as a
player in the, yet to be formed, taekwondo orchestra. Featuring Bradly on tuba or guitars,
Rebecca Magowan on trombone and Caden on vocals let’s hope they will be playing “We are
the champions” some time in August in Paris.
Ged Camera
@cadenluiscunningham
@bradlysinden