Charlotte, USA – The city of Charlotte is gearing up to host one of the most anticipated events on the international Taekwondo calendar: the WT Grand Prix Challenge 2025, scheduled from June 13 to 15 at the Charlotte Convention Center.
This special edition will bring together 376 athletes from 44 countries, including a refugee team and individual neutral athletes, all competing for a coveted spot in the 2026 Grand Prix Series.
Launched in 2022, the Grand Prix Challenge was created to offer high-level competition opportunities to athletes with lower rankings. Starting this year, the event is officially open to all senior athletes, regardless of their Olympic ranking, and now plays a full role in the qualification pathway to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Each country may register up to four athletes per weight category, with a maximum of 50 athletes per division. The top three finishers in each category will earn direct qualification to the opening event of the 2026 Grand Prix Series, set to take place in Rome.
Italy’s national team, competitive and highly motivated, is ready to make its presence felt. Representing the country will be:
Vito Dell’Aquila, Andrea Conti, Antonio Gerrone, Matteo De Angelis, Simone Alessio, Giulia Galiero, Ilenia Matonti, Giada Al Halwani, Lucia Pezzolla, Natalia D’Angelo, and Ana Ciuchitu.
This will also be the first time the United States hosts a Grand Prix Challenge event—symbolically and strategically building a bridge to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
All eyes will be on the Italian delegation, especially Vito Dell’Aquila, Olympic gold medalist in Tokyo 2020, and Simone Alessio, who took bronze in Paris 2024.