2018 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series takes place in Wuxi

The 2018 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series runs from Dec 12 to 16 in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo/worldtaekwondo.org]

The 2018 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series ran from Dec 12 to 16 in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province, with the elite competition once again bringing together the very best fighters from around the world.

Sixteen world-class fighters, including previous Grand Slam champions and gold medalists from this year's Grand Prix events, were invited to do battle in each of the eight Olympic weight categories (four male, four female) that are being contested in Wuxi.

The Grand Slam is designed to maximize TV exposure and so boasts the very highest production values in terms of sound and light systems. It is unique in that, unlike other WT competitions, it does not take place in a stadium, but in a custom-designed studio.

A captivating final day of the World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series sees Great Britain, China, Korea, Iran, Russia and Thailand claim gold. [Photo/worldtaekwondo.org]

"I am extremely excited to see the Grand Slam advance into its second year, and thank the organizing committee for its hard work and its investment in the series," said WT president Choue Chungwon.

"As a media showcase for taekwondo, as a benchmark for presentation and production, and as a test laboratory for rule modification, the Grand Slam points toward the future of our sport."

Winners receive cash prices of $70,000; runners up win $20,000; and bronze medalists $5,000, making the Grand Slam the event in WT's portfolio of tournaments with the highest potential earnings.

The eastern Chinese city of Wuxi, Jiangsu province, is investing heavily in sports, notably taekwondo. In addition to the Grand Slam series, it will also host the 2021 World Championships.