Radar 2028 will identify athletes for the Los Angeles Olympics ©CBTKD

The Brazilian Taekwondo Confederation (CBTKD) has launched an initiative called "Radar 2028" to identify athletes who could compete at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Fighters between the ages of 18 and 20 will be targeted and monitored as the CBTKD believes promising athletes in this group are getting "lost".

All of the athletes selected will take part in senior and junior training camps, as well as competitions around the world.

"It is a CBTKD project that aims to support young talents who stand out in the sport," said Henrique Precious, the technical director of the CBTKD.

"Often, these young people need adaptation in the transition from the youth category to the adult category."

Athletes in the age group who won a medal at Brazil's Grand Slam competition have been selected for Radar 2028 this year.

Maicon Siqueira, right, won Olympic bronze on home soil at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images
Maicon Siqueira, right, won Olympic bronze on home soil at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

"We evaluated every athlete who competed in the Grand Slam and we saw that Brazilian taekwondo has athletes with a lot of quality coming from the basic categories," Precious added. 

"This project has everything to make us reach 2028 with several athletes fighting for spots in the Olympic Games."

Radar 2028 may call up other athletes in the age group who perform well or achieve good results. 

Brazil has won two Olympic medals in taekwondo, including a bronze on home soil for men's heavyweight Maicon Siqueira at Rio 2016.