The vibrant city of Charlotte welcomed a groundbreaking moment in the realm of taekwondo with the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge. This prestigious event was not only a contest for medals but also a key qualifier for the upcoming Roma 2026 Grand Prix, attracting over 350 elite athletes from **44 nations**, including the Refugee Team and Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN).
Highlights of the Competition
Day 1 – Latin Brilliance and Asian Dominance
The opening day, June 13, served up a captivating blend of unexpected victories and dominant performances:
- W-57kg: Maria Clara Pacheco from **Brazil** took the competition by storm, sweeping aside China’s Zongshi Luo with a resounding score of 17-0 and 12-0, allowing zero points against her. The cheering American crowd celebrated as Faith Dillon clinched a bronze medal.
- M-68kg: Woo-hyeok Jung from **Korea** staged a thrilling comeback against Hao-yu Hsu (TPE), winning 14-13 and 19-10. Spanish athlete Joan Jorquera triumphed over France’s Theo Lucien to secure bronze.
- W+67kg: In a display of technical brilliance, China’s Wenzhe Mu dominated Serbia’s Nadica Bozanic, delivering a decisive 20-0 in the final round. The bronze went to AIN competitor Kristina Adebaio.
Day 2 – Gold for USA and Spain, Korea Stacks Podiums
June 14 saw a series of nail-biting matches and joyous home celebrations:
- M-58kg: Jongmyeong Kim from **Korea** clinched gold after teammate Jun-seo Bae withdrew due to injury. A surprising twist came when Tamirlan Tleules from **Kazakhstan** defeated Olympic champion Vito Dell’Aquila (Italy) for bronze.
- W-67kg: In a tight contest, Lena Moreno from **Spain** edged out Korea’s Min-ju Kwak with a score of 2-1. The energetic crowd erupted as Kristina Teachout rallied to victory over Croatia’s Doris Pole, securing bronze.
- M-80kg: The USA’s CJ Nickolas delivered an electrifying performance, triumphing over Geon-woo Seo from Korea with scores of 23-18 and 22-20. Batyrkhan Toleugali snatched bronze from Chile’s Joaquin Churchill.
Day 3 – Strong Finish for Asia and Europe
The final day, June 15, capped the event with standout championships:
- W-49kg: **You-yun Liu** from Chinese Taipei showcased her dominance, defeating Nodira Akhmedova (Kazakhstan) with a commanding 8-1 and 5-3. The bronze medal was awarded to AIN athlete Milana Bekulova.
- M+80kg: Two-time world champion **Simone Alessio** from **Italy** proved too strong for Great Britain’s Caden Cunningham, winning gold with ease. Pasko Bozic of Croatia fought hard for the bronze against Ivan García.
Regional Insights: Champions of Charlotte
Asia
South Korea emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the finals, winning 1 gold and 4 silver medals. The depth and consistency of their athletes were evident. **China** and **Chinese Taipei** further impressed, particularly in the women’s divisions.
Europe
Powerhouses like **Italy**, **Spain**, and **Croatia** shone brightly, with Alessio reinforcing his dominance while Lena Moreno and Pasko Bozic showcased Europe’s strength in pivotal weight classes.
Americas
**Brazil** and the **USA** made significant strides, with golds from Pacheco and Nickolas. Their impressive bronze medals signal the Americas’ rise as formidable contenders on the global stage.
Africa & Neutral Athletes
While they didn’t bag golds, athletes from **Serbia**, **Kazakhstan**, and the AIN delegation (including Adebaio and Bekulova) secured podium placements, underscoring the spirit of inclusion and competitiveness.
Final Thoughts
The **Charlotte 2025 Grand Prix Challenge** marked a historic milestone as the first World Taekwondo event in the USA since 1993. The open-entry format promoted fair play, allowing both emerging talents and elite champions to shine.
As the curtains close, the pathway to **Roma 2026** officially unfolds, setting the stage for exhilarating future confrontations. Stay tuned!
