Olympic champion Lukas Krpalek will be one of the judokas heading to the IJF Hohhot Grand Prix ©IJF

A final chance for top-level preparation before the World Judo Championships will available for athletes in China from tomorrow until Sunday (July 2).

The International Judo Federation (IJF) World Tour will see the Hohhot Grand Prix held for the first time with the event acting as the final stop before heading to Budapest for the World Championships, due to take place from August 28 to September 3.

Action at the Inner Mongolia Stadium is set to see 226 judokas from 26 nations participate across seven weight categories in both the men’s and women’s competitions.

Hohhot has taken over hosting the Chinese leg of the IJF World Tour after it was held in Qingdao between 2009 and 2016.

Chinese Judo Association vice-president Li Zhiyou said they are expecting a "marvellous competition".

Chinese Judo Association vice-president Li Zhiyou, centre, said the IJF World Tour event in Hohhot, the final warm-up before the World Championships, should be a
Chinese Judo Association vice-president Li Zhiyou, centre, said the IJF World Tour event in Hohhot, the final warm-up before the World Championships, should be a "marvellous competition" ©IJF

"This is the first time we host the Chinese Grand Prix in Hohhot and we have a great entry and many great champions will be crowned," he said.

"We will boost the level of judo here and the understanding of the sport for all fans around the world."

Among the judokas who are due to feature at the competition include Lukas Krpalek of the Czech Republic, the reigning Olympic champion in the men’s 100 kilogram weight division.

Other medallists from Rio 2016 scheduled to appear in Hohhot include Mongalia’s Dorjsuren Sumiya, winner of the silver in the women’s 57kg competition, and Japanese judoka Ryunosuke Haga, third in the men’s 100kg.

Watch all the latest judo action on Judo TV here.