What Is 2017 World Taekwondo Grand Prix

Overview

The 2017 World Taekwondo Grand Prix was a premier international competition series designed to showcase elite taekwondo athletes in Olympic-style sparring. Organized by World Taekwondo, it served as a critical platform for athletes to earn ranking points and prize money while preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Unlike the World Championships, the Grand Prix focused on consistency across multiple events, rewarding athletes who performed well throughout the season. The 2017 edition featured four tournaments in key global cities, drawing top-tier competitors aiming to demonstrate dominance and secure Olympic qualification advantages.

• Four events were held in 2017: Moscow (June), Rabat (September), Manchester (November), and Sofia (December), forming a season-long competition.
• Each tournament followed Olympic weight categories, including men’s and women’s divisions from -58kg to +80kg.
• Athletes earned points based on final placement, with gold medalists receiving 80 points toward the overall Grand Prix standings.
• The series attracted over 600 competitors from more than 80 national federations, reflecting its global prestige.
• Prize money totaled $1 million USD, distributed equally among men and women across all weight classes.

How It Works

The Grand Prix operates on a cumulative scoring system, where athletes earn points across multiple events to qualify for the final standings and prize distribution. Each event functions as a standalone tournament but contributes to a season-long leaderboard.

• Event Format: Each Grand Prix stop uses a single-elimination bracket with repechage for semifinal losers, ensuring athletes compete for bronze. Matches consist of three rounds of two minutes each.
• Scoring System: Athletes receive points based on final rank: 80 for gold, 50 for silver, 30 for bronze, and 10 for quarterfinalists.
• Eligibility: Only athletes ranked in the top 32 of the World Taekwondo rankings are eligible to compete, ensuring elite participation.
• Weight Classes: The competition includes four weight divisions per gender, aligning with Olympic standards to simulate Games conditions.
• Prize Distribution:$250,000 per gender was awarded across the series, with $10,000 for gold in each weight class at each event.
• Final Rankings: The athlete with the highest cumulative points in each weight class wins the Grand Prix title, even if they didn’t win every event.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares the 2017 Grand Prix events by location, date, number of participants, and prize distribution:

The increasing athlete count from Moscow to Sofia reflects growing interest and qualification urgency as the season progressed. Each event maintained identical rules and weight divisions, ensuring fairness and consistency for Olympic preparation.

Why It Matters

The 2017 World Taekwondo Grand Prix played a crucial role in shaping the sport’s competitive landscape, influencing Olympic qualification and athlete development. Its structure encouraged sustained excellence rather than one-off performances, promoting long-term athletic growth.

• Olympic pathway: Strong Grand Prix results contributed to world ranking points used for Tokyo 2020 qualification.
• Global exposure: Hosting events across Europe, Africa, and Asia increased taekwondo’s visibility in diverse markets.
• Gender equality: Equal prize money and event structure for men and women reinforced World Taekwondo’s commitment to fairness.
• Technical development: Athletes refined strategies against top competition, improving readiness for the Olympics.
• Commercial growth: Sponsorship and broadcasting deals expanded due to the series’ predictable, high-quality format.
• Legacy impact: Host cities like Manchester used the event to promote youth taekwondo programs and local sports infrastructure.

The 2017 Grand Prix set a benchmark for future editions, combining elite sport, global reach, and strategic importance for athletes and federations alike.