BLK BOX was the partner of choice for the design, fit out and install of GB Taekwondo’s new high-performance gym, as the team prepares for the Olympics in Paris 2024.

The vision was to create a training space to meet the needs of high-performance Olympic combat athletes. The result is an iconic and inspirational training space that will foster growth and success on both national and international stages.

The new facility marks a pivotal moment in the progression of GB Taekwondo as a sporting institution, marrying the world of strength and conditioning with that of combat sports to create a world-class training space, home to elite athletes competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

GB Taekwondo's performance director, Gary Hall MBE, said: “BLK BOX inspired us with its ideas and worked hand in hand with the team to see the project to fruition.

“The space gives a boost to the GB Taekwondo athletes as they prepare for the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. We now have a strength and conditioning space that is tailored to the physical demands of Taekwondo, gives us the capability to deliver diagnostics for combat athletes and is fit for performance.”

The facility layout was meticulously designed to support the unique demands of combat training.

At its heart lies two full-size octagons which allow for skill-based work to be intertwined with traditional strength and conditioning.

BLK Box Fusion flooring was then utilised to seamlessly integrate the Octagons to provide trip free environment for athletes. This particular flooring was selected due to its dual durometer construction which allows it to absorb the impact forces of weightlifting yet retain the comfort under foot required for combat training.

In addition to seamless flooring solutions BLK BOX created a bespoke 6-Pod system comprising of four Full Racks with Nexus Cable integration and two instrumented testing racks for diagnostic testing and performance.

As Taekwondo is an individual sport, each pod allows for an athlete to work with their individual coach and have everything they need to conduct an effective session within arms reach.

Consistent with BLK BOX's attention to detail, each rack has been customised through colours and branding to compliment GB Taekwondo’s strong visual identity.
Miles Canning, commercial director at BLK BOX, added: “We were delighted to partner with GB Taekwondo on this iconic project. At BLK BOX, we specialise in creating high-performance environments. This project was very much focused on performance and creating a space for the athletes to prepare for the Olympics in Paris 2024.

“Working on solutions specifically for combat athletes was a fresh challenge, but through collaboration with the coaching team at GB Taekwondo and utilising our engineering capabilities, we have developed a concept which we collectively believe will make a positive impact for the future of GB Taekwondo.”

Based at the National Taekwondo Centre in Manchester, the new home of the GB Taekwondo athletes was officially unveiled on 8 November by Paul Buxton (CEO), with representatives from BLK BOX in attendance to see the end of result of what was a truly rewarding experience.

Both organisations are excited about the potential impact of this collaboration on the future of Taekwondo in the UK and beyond.
The partnership symbolises a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of athletic success.

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