"I would like to congratulate GB Taekwondo, UK Sport, the event organisers and officials and all the athletes that competed at the World Taekwondo GP for making it such a brilliant and memorable event," said Choue.

"The competition was a huge success and has set the standard for the World Taekwondo GP Series."

Broadcast in 98 countries, the inaugural World Taekwondo Grand Prix demonstrated the truly global nature of taekwondo as medals over the three days of competition were shared between 16 different nations, including Great Britain, Spain, Russia, Sweden, Chinese Taipei, Iran, South Korea, Gabon, China, Canada, Brazil, United States, France, Isle of Man, Turkey and Mexico.

WTF President Choue alongside Great Britain's Mahama Cho following his victory in the men's +80kg event in Manchester ©FTP



"This has been a fantastic event," added WTF secretary general Jean-Marie Ayer.

"It has showcased what a truly global sport taekwondo is and demonstrated just how much potential there is for taekwondo to significantly enhance its commercial programme.

"As the first event of the series, this competition has given us the chance to speak with athletes, coaches and MNAs (Member National Associations) to listen to what has worked well and where we can improve so that in the future we can build on the success of this event and provide competitions of the very highest quality."

The WTF is currently in the process of selecting the host's for next year's Grand Prix Series.

It is hoping to hold four events each year in the build up to the Rio 2016 with early interest from China, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Qatar, Russia, and the United Kingdom declared at a workshop held during the opening day of the Grand Prix in Manchester.

The WTF is set to announce the host of the next Grand Prix in January next year with the event scheduled to be held in July.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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