The series is set to consist of three events in June - Grand Prix East, Grand Prix West and Grand Prix Central - with each event open to any athlete of any age, any belt and any discipline.

It is hoped that the series will be a further step towards the professionalisation of taekwondo in the United States, while the events provide opportunities to qualify for either the US National Taekwondo Championships or the US Grand Prix Finals, both designated as "major tournaments" in the quest for national team selection.

The first of the three events scheduled is the Grand Prix West, due to take place at The Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas from June 10 to 13.

That is set to be followed by the Grand Prix Central, scheduled to take place from June 17 to 20 at Fort Worth Convention Centre in Texas.

The final event of the series is set to be the Grand Prix East, due to run from June 24 to 27 at Bon Secours Wellness Centre in Greenville, South Carolina.

USA Taekwondo said: "We could not be more excited about the championship season - and while for 2021 it has been shortened due to the pandemic, this is the first bold step forward on a new dawn for the sport in this country."

Last month USA Taekwondo launched an online academy featuring courses designed to cover all aspects of modern taekwondo.

The online courses and the launch of the USA Taekwondo Grand Prix Series are among initiatives by the governing body as it seeks to improve the country’s performance in the sport on the international stage in time for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.