Tourism Cedar Rapids Press Release

Cedar Rapids  Tourism Office

USA Taekwondo Brings 500 Athletes to Compete in Cedar Rapids June 9-11

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The Cedar Rapids Tourism Office is excited to welcome the 2023 USA Taekwondo Grand Prix Central Event to the City of Cedar Rapids and the Alliant Energy Powerhouse June 9th-11th.

USA Taekwondo athletes from the central United States will compete in multiple Taekwondo divisions, including: Sparring, Poomsae, Board Breaking and Demo Team. Upon completion of this event, these athletes will have qualified to compete at the 2023 U.S. Taekwondo National Championship July 7-10, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida.

“We are very excited to hold the Central Grand Prix in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The partnership USA Taekwondo has established with Cedar Rapids Tourism is very important and we are looking forward to hosting the regional competition June 9-11, 2023.,” says Christy Simmons, Managing Director of Events & Member Programs.

“We are thrilled USA Taekwondo has chosen to host the 2023 Central Grand Prix in Cedar Rapids. This is the first time Cedar Rapids has hosted this 14-state event that will bring an estimated 500 athletes and hundreds of spectators to Downtown Cedar Rapids,” says Jay Fanta, Director of Sports Tourism with the Cedar Rapids Tourism Office.

Taekwondo became an Olympic Sport in 2000 and 50% of Olympic Team members have medaled since the sports introduction. In 2022, the USA Sparring Team brought home a Gold Medal from the World Championships. Additionally, the USA Sparring Team and Para Sparring Team brought home 2 Gold Medals and the USA Poomsae team brought home 26 medals from the 2022 World Championships.  

For more information about the event and to purchase tickets in advance visit teamusa.org/usa-taekwondo. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. All spectators are welcome.

Photos: Courtesy of USA Taekwondo