What Is 2018 World Taekwondo Grand Prix

Overview

The 2018 World Taekwondo Grand Prix was a premier international competition series organized by World Taekwondo (WT) to showcase elite athletes and award crucial Olympic ranking points. Designed as a bridge between continental championships and the Olympic Games, the Grand Prix attracted top-tier competitors from over 100 nations.

Each event in the 2018 series featured Olympic-style weight categories and used electronic scoring systems to ensure fairness and transparency. Athletes earned ranking points based on final placements, influencing their qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

• Four events: The 2018 series included tournaments in Moscow (June 22–24), Sofia (September 14–16), Manchester (November 2–4), and Rabat (December 14–16).
• Weight divisions: Eight weight classes were contested—four for men and four for women—aligned with Olympic standards to ensure consistency in athlete preparation.
• Scoring system: Matches used the Protector and Scoring System (PSS), which electronically registers valid kicks and punches to the torso and head.
• Prize money: Each Grand Prix event offered a total prize purse of $150,000, distributed across gold, silver, and bronze medalists.
• Participation: Over 450 athletes from more than 100 countries competed across the four legs, reflecting the global reach of elite taekwondo.

How It Works

The Grand Prix format combines round-robin seeding, single-elimination brackets, and repechage rounds to determine medalists, ensuring fairness and maximum competition exposure for top athletes.

• Qualification: Athletes qualified based on WT Olympic rankings and performance in previous Grand Prix or World Championships events, with a cap of two per nation per weight class.
• Tournament structure: Each event followed a three-day format, beginning with preliminary rounds, followed by quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal matches on the final day.
• Scoring rules: Points are awarded for legal techniques—2 points for kicks to the body, 3 for kicks to the head, and 4–5 for spinning techniques depending on target.
• Refereeing: Matches are overseen by a panel of five electronic judges who validate or override automatic PSS scoring using video replay and consensus.
• Ranking points: Gold medalists earned 30 points, silver 20, bronze 15, and quarterfinalists 7, contributing directly to Olympic qualification standings.
• Weight management: Competitors must weigh in one day before competition and remain within ±0.5 kg of their designated class to avoid disqualification.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the four 2018 Grand Prix events by location, dates, participants, and prize distribution:

The table highlights the consistent structure across events, with slight variations in participation due to travel logistics and Olympic qualification pressures. The Final Rankings event invited only the top eight point-earners per weight class, making it the most exclusive competition of the year.

Why It Matters

The 2018 World Taekwondo Grand Prix played a pivotal role in shaping Olympic qualification and elevating the sport’s global profile through high-stakes, televised competition.

• Olympic pathway: The Grand Prix contributed direct ranking points toward qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, making it a strategic priority for national teams.
• Global representation: Events in Europe, Africa, and Asia promoted inclusivity and expanded taekwondo’s visibility in emerging markets.
• Technological showcase: The use of PSS and video replay reinforced taekwondo’s modernization and appeal to younger audiences.
• Athlete development: Young stars like Jade Jones (GBR) and Lee Dae-hoon (KOR) used the series to refine skills ahead of Olympic campaigns.
• Commercial growth: Broadcast deals with Eurosport and Olympic Channel increased viewership, with peak events drawing over 2 million live viewers.
• Rule testing: The 2018 series piloted revised penalty systems later adopted in the 2020 Olympic rulebook to reduce stalling and increase action.

By blending elite competition with strategic Olympic preparation, the 2018 Grand Prix series reinforced taekwondo’s status as a dynamic, globally competitive sport.