Iran, Russia and South Korea have also booked their places in the penultimate round following today’s preliminary action.

China, Chinese Taipei, Morocco and Niger all failed to qualify.

Russia fielded three leading stars with Olympic silver medallist Alexey Denisenko, reigning world champion Maksim Khramtcov and Abidjan Grand Prix Final winner Vladislav Larin all competing.

Also in action was Iran’s 2015 world champion Mahdi Khodabakhshi, easing himself back into competition after a long, post-Rio 2016 lay-off due to injury and rehabilitation, and London Grand Prix gold medallist In Kyo-don of South Korea.

Teams from China and South Korea will fight for top spot in the women’s category.

Ivory Coast, Morocco and the United States also contested today’s preliminaries.

Big names competing in the women’s event today included Rio 2016 gold medallist Zheng Shuyin of China and reigning world champion Ruth Gbagbi of Ivory Coast.

Both finals are scheduled to take place tmorrow. 

Teams are made up of five or six fighters.

The first round features opposite number versus opposite number.

The second and third rounds are tag-team format, which generates fast-paced substitutions and high scores.

It is broadly recognised within taekwondo that the team format is more spectacular than the individual format, which can be tactical and low-scoring.

"I think anytime you watch a team it always gets exciting, I don’t care what countries they are - something crazy is always happening," Juan Moreno, America's individuals’ coach, said.

"From the point of view of spectators, team competition is the way to go.

"It is much easier for the average Joe to watch this, with all the action."

China, Mexico, Morocco, Russia and South Korea are also due to contest a mixed-gender event tomorrow.

Teams will be made up of two men and two women.