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| Region/Nation | Wales - Cardiff |
|---|---|
| Business Name | RKB Boxing |
| Owner | Runa Bakshi |
| Partner | The Hub |
| Social Media |
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A tax consultant and black-belt-standard former competitive kickboxer is boosting women’s fitness and confidence with tailored training routines to fit around cultural and religious fasting.
Runa Bakshi, founder of RKB Boxing, a women-only kickboxing facility, has been named as the 2026 Start Up Loans Ambassador for Wales. Start Up Loans Ambassadors, has been running for more than a decade and recognises top entrepreneurial talent from all 12 Nations and regions across the UK. In addition, two Ambassadors have been selected to represent specialist groups supported by the programme, including a Gen Z founder and a member of the Armed Forces veterans community.
RKB Boxing has supported women with mental as well as physical wellbeing, thanks to a £15,000 Start Up Loan, provided earlier this year, which was used to invest in commercial kickboxing training equipment at Runa’s Cardiff gym.
After more than 20 years competing competitively, Runa, a mother of two, offers a safe space for women and girls to train together, tailored classes, and regular posts of at-home fitness routines on her Instagram account for women to follow during Ramadan.
Runa began providing classes for a women’s aid charity dedicated to empowering Black and Minority Ethnic women and has expanded her programme of classes in a year thanks to support from a Start Up Loan.
£15,000
used to invest in commercial kickboxing training equipment at Runa’s Cardiff gym.
The Hub
Support for new and early stage businesses
Knowing that someone can walk through the door feeling overwhelmed and leave feeling more confident, positive, and in control is incredibly rewarding. It reminds me that what we are doing is about much more than exercise.
I want RKB Boxing to be accessible to women from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, as well as different ages and fitness levels.
Some of my clients have never stepped into a gym before, some have never lifted weights before, and others haven’t been into a gym since having children. I have a client who just turned 70, as well as teenagers. Everyone goes at their own pace, fully supported, and everyone is growing stronger together. Creating a supportive community has therefore been just as important to me as the fitness side of the business.
- Runa Bakshi Founder of RKB Boxing
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