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Former Athletes Return to GB Taekwondo as High Performance Coaches

Former Olympian Michael Harvey and European Championship medallist, Ruebyn Richards, have joined GB Taekwondo’s High Performance coaching squad.

Both Harvey, 28, and Richards, who celebrates his 25th birthday on January 30, had both retired from competition several years ago.

The new appointments follow a rigorous recruitment and assessment process.

“Both athletes spent a significant time on the GB Taekwondo World Class Performance programme,” confirmed Gary Hall, GB Taekwondo’s Performance Director.

“They gained huge experience of what athletes need to do to make sustained progress in the training and competition environment. I am sure they will be a great asset to the team’s future success.

“It is particularly pleasing to be able to recruit and invest in retired former elite athletes of the GB TKD programme.

“We have a successful track record of blending top domestic talent with our experienced international coaches and producing world class coaches.

“I am confident that this trend will continue with these appointments.”

Michael has been part of the GB Taekwondo set-up since his home city of Manchester was chosen to become the National Performance Centre more than a decade ago.

He won his first senior medals in 2008 and the same year represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games in Beijing.

In 2011, Michael captured a World Championship silver medal and went one better in 2012 securing gold at the European Championships hosted in Manchester.

Fittingly, Michael’s last major competition was the 2015 World Taekwondo Grand Prix, again held in Manchester.

Ruebyn last fought at the 2015 World Championships having won bronze at the European Championships 12 months earlier.

The Nottingham born former fighter also won the Luxor Open and Fujairah Opens in 2014 competing in the -68kg weight division. He eventually retired due to persistent injury.

“Both Mike and Ruebyn are super excited to join the team,” added Hall.

“They are looking forward to supporting the squad to be at their very best on their TKD training and competition journeys.” Ruebyn’s coaching will commence in February whilst Michael’s will begin later this month.

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