The Karate world will get to know the 2017 GRAND WINNERS this week. The best of the best of the Karate 1-Premier League season will be crowned in Halle/Leipzig right after the thrilling event thus putting the anticipated finishing touch to a memorable year of the first-class Karate competition. These are the main facts & figures of the Karate 1-Premier League Grand Winners award.

The Karate world will get to know the 2017 GRAND WINNERS this week. The best of the best of the Karate 1-Premier League season will be crowned in Halle/Leipzig right after the thrilling event thus putting the anticipated finishing touch to a memorable year of the first-class Karate competition. This is all you need to know about the Karate 1-Premier League Grand Winners award.

GRAND WINNERS AWARD EXPLAINED

The Grand Winners awards honour the top competitors of the year in each category of the Karate 1-Premier League. This distinction recognises the most consistent karatekas of the season and celebrates a year of impressive accomplishments in international Karate.

DESIGNATION OF GRAND WINNERS

The Grand Winners are proclaimed at the last event of the Karate 1-Premier League season. One Grand Winner per each individual category will be announced. This means that there will be 12 Grand Winners for each season. The Grand Winners receive prize money, a trophy and a commemorative diploma marking the achievement.

CRITERIA FOR ELECTION OF GRAND WINNERS

The karatekas who top the Karate 1-Premier League standings in each one of the 12 categories at the end of the season will be designated Grand Winners. The only limitation being applied is that in order to be eligible for the Grand Winners award, karatekas must participate in at least half of the Karate 1-Premier League events of the season (three events this year) and in two different continents.

COMPOSITION OF KARATE 1-PREMIER LEAGUE STANDINGS

Karatekas competing at the Karate 1-Premier League receive points for their final position at the event and for each one of their bouts won throughout the tournament. Competitors can earn up to 875 points in each tournament. With this score, a standing for each category is established. The Karate 1-Premier League standings are additional to the WKF World Ranking.

RELEVANCE OF GRAND WINNERS AWARDS

The Grand Winners awards recognise the karatekas who are in top form in the most important series of Karate competitions. With the Karate 1-Premier League allocating a significant number of points for the WKF World Ranking and the WKF Ranking being one of the main elements in the Olympic qualification, the Grand Winners awards put the spotlight in some of the frontrunners in the Olympic quest.

HONOURING KARATE HEROES

The 2017 Grand Winners awarding ceremony will take place on Sunday, around 16:30 (local time). The best of the best of the season will be honoured at a ceremony to be held in Halle/Leipzig. It will be the opportunity for Karate enthusiasts to celebrate some of the biggest heroes of the sport and to see some of the main fan favourites being recognised for their outstanding performances.

CURRENT GRAND WINNERS

Nine different countries and four continents were represented last year in the 2016 Grand Winners. The karatekas who won the Grand Winners award last season are: