Aaron Cook set for Isle of Man switch after London 2012 snub

Aaron Cook won -80kg European gold in 2012, but was controversially overlooked by GB Taekwondo for their London Olympic team

Former taekwondo world number one Aaron Cook intends to switch allegiance to the Isle of Man after being overlooked by Great Britain for London 2012.

Despite numerous appeals, British Taekwondo controversially selected Lutalo Muhammad, who went on to win -80kg bronze, ahead of Cook.

"I was world number one - I am never going to work with those people (British Taekwondo) again," said Cook.

British Taekwondo say they are still keen to work with the 21-year-old.

The Manchester-based fighter quit the GB programme in June last year following a first-round elimination at the World Championships in South Korea.

He felt their insistence on more defensive tactics was inhibiting his natural attacking instincts and instead recruited his own coaching staff ahead of London.

Manx athletes compete under the British flag at the Olympic Games.

However, Dorset-born Cook believes the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) may introduce a system where athletes are selected based on rankings rather that the national body's discretion.

"All I have got to do is make sure I am top ranked in the world and I can get there off my own back, which we didn't have in the past," added Cook when speaking to Sky Sports News.

British Taekwondo said in a statement: "We have made efforts to re-engage with Aaron since the Games and have made it clear that we remain keen to work with him going forward.

"We have not received official notification of Aaron's future intentions including the potential for him to represent another nation.

"But it seems apparent that Aaron is keen to pursue other options, away from Great Britain."