United States Wins Bid to Host 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge

 **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

Charlotte, NC – We are thrilled to announce that the United States has been selected to host the prestigious 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge, which will take place in North Carolina. This marks a significant milestone as it brings major international Taekwondo competition back to U.S. shores for the first time since the early 1990s.

We extend our deepest gratitude to World Taekwondo for their confidence in our ability to host such an esteemed event. We also thank the United States Performance Center (USPC) and the great state of North Carolina for their unwavering support in securing the bid.

The 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge will replace the traditional Grand Prix series for the year and will serve as a crucial step in the qualifying process for the upcoming Los Angeles Games. This event not only signifies a monumental achievement for U.S. Taekwondo but also highlights our commitment to fostering the growth and popularity of taekwondo in the Americas, and providing athletes with the best and only platform to qualify for the biggest show on earth - the Olympic Games.

USATKD CEO Steve McNally said: “In a week where we signed a landmark deal with Kukkiwon, to also bring World Taekwondo competition back to the United States just caps a great few days for the team and the country. And we aren’t stopping here - we intend to mount an irresistible bid for the 2027 World Championships, giving our athletes an unbelievable platform for success.”

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said: “We offer our sincere congratulations to Taiyuan for the Grand Prix Final, and Charlotte, Bangkok, and Muju on being awarded the Grand Prix Challenges.  I have no doubt they will host fantastic events.”

USPC spokesperson Jared Hartzell said: “We are honored to host the 2025 WT Grand Prix Challenge in North Carolina! We look forward to working with World Taekwondo and making it an extremely successful and memorable event for years to come.”

Further details about the event will be released in due course. We look forward to welcoming the world's best taekwondo athletes to Charlotte and to showcasing the spirit of sportsmanship and competition at its finest.