Financial prizes will be on offer for those who make the podium at this year's Senior Pan American Championships in Spokane.

American gold medallists at their home event will be rewarded with a prize of $1,500 (£1,000/€1,200).

For silver medallists the financial incentive is $1,000 (£700/€800) while it is $500 (£350/€400) for bronze.

To be eligible, athletes must win 2018 US Senior National Team Trials sparring division titles.

The Pan American Championships are scheduled to be held between June 6 and 8 in the Washington city.

The incentives have been announced at a period of change for USA Taekwondo.

Last month, the governing body rolled out a new rankings system which rates all players according to performance at the organisation's sanctioned events.

According to USA Taekwondo, the aim is to "establish a much stronger pipeline of both athletes and coaches, far greater medal potential, and provide many more opportunities for athletes to compete in, and improve through quality tournaments".

It came after the governing body recruited highly successful British coaches Paul Green and Gareth Brown to their set-up in December.