Charlotte 2025 Grand Prix Challenge Results: Brazil, Korea and Italy Lead the Medal Count
The city of Charlotte hosted a historic chapter in global taekwondo with the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge, a high-stakes competition that not only awarded medals but also granted direct qualification spots for the Roma 2026 Grand Prix. With more than 350 athletes from 44 countries, including the Refugee Team and Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN).
The city of Charlotte hosted a historic chapter in global taekwondo with the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge, a high-stakes competition that not only awarded medals but also granted direct qualification spots for the Roma 2026 Grand Prix. With more than 350 athletes from 44 countries, including the Refugee Team and Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN).
Day 1 – Latin Brilliance and Asian Dominance
The opening day on June 13 delivered an exciting mix of surprises and confirmations:
- W-57kg: Maria Clara Pacheco (Brazil) stunned the crowd with a dominant performance over China’s Zongshi Luo, winning 17-0 and 12-0 without conceding a single point. The USA celebrated as Faith Dillon claimed bronze in front of a roaring home crowd.
- M-68kg: Woo-hyeok Jung (Korea) staged a remarkable comeback to beat Hao-yu Hsu (TPE) 14-13, 19-10. Joan Jorquera (Spain) defeated France’s Theo Lucien for bronze.
- W+67kg: Wenzhe Mu (China) delivered a technical masterclass against Serbia’s Nadica Bozanic, sealing the match with a decisive 20-0 final round. The bronze medal went to AIN athlete Kristina Adebaio.
Day 2 – Gold for USA and Spain, Korea Stacks Podiums
June 14 brought nail-biting matches and home crowd celebrations:
- M-58kg: Jongmyeong Kim (Korea) won gold after teammate Jun-seo Bae withdrew due to injury. Tamirlan Tleules (Kazakhstan) surprised many by defeating Olympic champion Vito Dell’Aquila (Italy) for bronze.
- W-67kg: Lena Moreno (Spain) overcame Min-ju Kwak (Korea) in a tight 2-1 contest. Kristina Teachoutthrilled the crowd by rallying past Doris Pole (Croatia) to secure bronze.
- M-80kg: CJ Nickolas (USA) lit up the arena with a thrilling victory over Geon-woo Seo (Korea), winning 23-18 and 22-20. Batyrkhan Toleugali edged Chile’s Joaquin Churchill for the bronze.
Day 3 – Strong Finish for Asia and Europe
The final day on June 15 capped off the competition with two standout champions:
- W-49kg: You-yun Liu (Chinese Taipei) outclassed Nodira Akhmedova (Kazakhstan) with commanding scores of 8-1 and 5-3. The bronze was taken by AIN athlete Milana Bekulova.
- M+80kg: Simone Alessio (Italy), a two-time world champion, was too strong for Great Britain’s Caden Cunningham, claiming gold with authority. Pasko Bozic (Croatia) secured bronze against Ivan García.
Regional Highlights: Who Dominated in Charlotte?
Asia
South Korea was the most represented nation in the finals, with 1 gold and 4 silver medals, showcasing depth and consistency. China and Chinese Taipei also stood out, particularly in the women’s divisions.
Europe
Italy, Spain, and Croatia emerged as European powerhouses. Alessio solidified his status, while Lena Moreno and Pasko Bozic reinforced Europe’s strength in key weight classes.
Americas
Brazil and the USA made a strong statement with golds from Pacheco and Nickolas, plus crucial bronze medals. The Americas continue to rise as contenders on the world stage.
Africa & Neutral Athletes
Though they didn’t win gold, athletes from Serbia, Kazakhstan, and the AIN delegation (such as Adebaio and Bekulova) earned podium spots, highlighting inclusion and growing competitiveness.
Final Thoughts
The Charlotte 2025 Grand Prix Challenge marked a milestone as the first World Taekwondo event in the USA since 1993. With its open-entry format, it leveled the playing field and allowed both new talents and elite champions to shine.
The road to Roma 2026 is now officially underway.
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