K-1 World Grand Prix 2024 - Qualification System

[K1power]

Earlier this week K-1 has announced the roadmap for this season and layed out the qualification system for the Open Weight Finals in Tokyo at the end of the year. It's essentially a scaled down version of the original system:

Four international events featuring qualification tournaments
- K-1 WGP 2024 in New York [19-05 OR 22-06]
- K-1 WGP 2024 in Sarajevo [29-06]
- K-1 WGP 2024 in Sicily [27-07]
- K-1 WGP 2024 in Curitiba [03-08 OR 10-08]

Instead of a Final 16, three single fight qualifiers (it will still be held in Osaka, though)
- K-1 WGP 2024 in Osaka [05-10]

China's Liu Ce who won the tournament in 2023 is automatically qualified.

This brings us to the Finals in December
- K-1 WGP 2024 in Tokyo [14-12]

-- New York Tournament Winner
-- Sarajevo Tournament Winner
-- Sicily Tournament Winner
-- Curitiba Tournament Winner
-- Osaka Qualifier #1 Winner
-- Osaka Qualifier #2 Winner
-- Osaka Qualifier #3 Winner
-- Liu Ce

K-1's announcement
BeyondKick's Write-up

[K1power]

I think this system is fine if they can actually do it as scheduled and we get some decent cards/names out of it.

Obviously I would have preferred a Final 16, but I guess that's not feasible given the heavyweight landscape and budget considerations. The New York event seems a bit close and ambitious to me, but let's hope for the best.

It's a nice touch that Liu Ce automatically qualifies for the tournament.

The one thing I do hope is that they do a proper draw and don't fumble it like Glory or give us predetermined match-ups like last year.

Also still worried about broadcasting deals, but according to K-1's English twitter an announcement for this is imminent.