Home / News / Grand Prix finals ‘seal of approval’ boost for Britain ahead of taekwondo World Championships

Grand Prix finals ‘seal of approval’ boost for Britain ahead of taekwondo World Championships

13th May 2019

Manchester will be the host city in 2023 when the UK stages the World Taekwondo Grand Prix finals for the first time.

The sport’s world governing body confirmed the news and the award of a Grand Prix round in 2021 at the World Taekwondo Council meeting today. (Monday)

The decisions have been greeted with pride and enthusiasm by GB Taekwondo officials less than two days before the planet’s best athletes arrive at Manchester Arena for the 2019 World Championships (May 15-19).

Manchester also hosted a round of the 2018 Grand Prix.

The end of year Grand Prix final is one of taekwondo’s most prestigious tournaments with former winners including British trio: Jade Jones, Lutalo Muhammad and Bianca Walkden.

Cancun, Mexico has been awarded the 2020 Grand Prix Final.

World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue said: “We are delighted to partner with Cancun and Manchester to host our future World Taekwondo Grand Prix events.

“Mexico and the UK are two great taekwondo nations and we have excellent experience of working with them to deliver fantastic events for our athletes and fans.

“We have no doubt the Grand Prix in 2020, 2021 and 2023 will be no different.”

Matt Archibald, GB Taekwondo’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “I’m delighted to announce the World Taekwondo Council have awarded us a Grand Prix in 20201 and the 2023 Grand Prix Finals.

“It is a great indication of their confidence in GBTKD and our partners, UK Sport, British Taekwondo and Manchester City Council.”

Julia Newton, chair of GB Taekwondo, said: “This is great news and a real confidence boost so close to the World Championships.

“This type of success is built on the years and years of hard work of athletes, staff, partners and supporters of GBTKD.  It’s a great credit to everyone and a real seal of approval.

Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Skills, Culture and Leisure, Councillor Luthfur Rahman, said: “This announcement is great news for Manchester.  With the World Championships taking place here this week and GB’s Taekwondo stars based at a state-of-the-art training centre in Newton Heath, the decision from World Taekwondo to award Manchester the 2023 Grand Prix finals emphasises our growing reputation as a leading city for this exciting sport.”

Following the Council meeting, President Choue attended the Head of Team Meeting to wish the athletes the best of luck for the upcoming World Championships.

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