Australian Taekwondo establishes new high performance hub in partnership with AIS

Australian Taekwondo establishes new high performance hub in partnership with AIS

Australian Taekwondo, in partnership with the AIS Combat Centre, has announced the opening of a new high performance hub (HPH) for elite athletes in Melbourne.

Eleven athletes have been invited to join the initial intake into the HPH, and will train under National Coaching Director, Karim Dighou at the South Melbourne Football Club.  Through additional investment from the AIS, Australian Taekwondo has joined with the  Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) to supplement the daily training environment  with athlete services including strength and conditioning, athlete welfare and engagement, and sports science and sports medicine support.

AIS Director Peter Conde said the high performance hub will provide the ideal environment for Australian Taekwondo’s elite and emerging athletes.

“In partnership with the Victorian Institute of Sport, we’re delivering a holistic approach to enable athletes to thrive” said Conde, “and with the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games now just two years away, we’re hopeful this additional investment will provide a stimulus for enhanced international performances.”

Four athletes will relocate to Melbourne to join a group of Victorian athletes in the first intake. National Team Coach Karim Dighou will run 4-5 technical sessions a week, with athletes undertaking strength and conditioning sessions at the VIS. 

Australian Taekwondo CEO John Gradisar said: “The establishment of the HPH provides the foundation for our elite and developing athletes to regularly train together, which is a critical factor for a combat sport’s daily training environment.

“We are very grateful to the AIS for their commitment to our joint initiative for the HPH, and for the holistic services that the Victoria Institute of Sports brings to support our athletes.”

AIS / AUSTRALIAN TAEKWONDWO HPH - INITIAL ATHLETE INTAKE