WUXI, China (Mar 27, 2023) - The World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series will return this week to Wuxi – the home of the event – for the first time since 2019 and promises spectacular action as some of the world’s best athletes battle it out for gold.

The excitement begins with the Open Qualification Tournament on 30-31 March which will see 389 athletes from 26 countries compete at the Wuxi Taihu International Expo Centre. A total of 149 officials will officiate the competition which will be held in a best-of-three format.

The top three athletes in each weight category will be awarded medals as well as an opportunity for further glory as they secure a place in the Wuxi 2022 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series Final on April 2-3, 2023. They will be joined in the Final by the athletes who finish fourth in each weight category of the Open Qualification Tournament as well as the next four highest finishing athletes.

Completing the roster of athletes for the Final will be up to three recommended athletes per weight category by the World Taekwondo Technical Commission and up to one additional athlete recommended athlete by the host country. In total there will be up to 12 athletes per category in the Final.

Athletes who qualify for the round of 8 onwards will receive prize money for each round that they qualify for. From the round of 8 to the semi-final, each athlete will receive $1,000 for each round. The prize money for gold medalist will be $15,000, followed by $4,000 for silver and $2,000 for bronze. In essence, a gold medalist will earn $18,000 in prize money.

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said:

“We are very excited for the return of the Grand Slam Champions Series and our return to Wuxi – the home of the event in China. COVID-19 caused significant disruption for the event and so returning after four years will make it even more special. I am sure the athletes are eager to get competing and to showcase their talent on this global stage.”

It will be the fourth edition of the Grand Slam which was launched in 2017 and was previously postponed due to COVID-19.