Having earned gold with a win over South Korea’s Sung-Min Kim on Sunday (November 22) in the final of the Qingdao Grand Prix in China, the reigning Olympic champion will be hoping to stretch his unbeaten run, which dates back to 2010, at the final Grand Prix event of the year.

As the top seed, Riner has been awarded a bye through the first round of the tournament, which will bring his season to a close, with the draw having taken place at the Maison Glad Hotel where 422 judoka from 70 nations discovered their potential path to their division’s final.

Mohamed Meridja, IJF education and coaching director, delivered the opening address on behalf of the IJF prior to the governing body’s head sport director Vladimir Barta welcoming the judoka and their support staff to the Grand Prix.

"Dear colleagues, dear judo fans, officials and all guests, I welcome you to Jeju for the latest Asian leg of the IJF World Judo Tour," said Barta.

“We've had a successful year of Rio 2016 Olympic qualification events which will culminate with the Tokyo Grand Slam next week.

“I wish everyone well for the Jeju Grand Prix and thank you for your continued support."

The host nation’s team has been depleted by the absence of under 66kg world champion An Baul, through injury, while Olympic champion Kim Jae-Bum has not been selected for the Grand Prix having suffered defeats in the opening rounds of the World Judo Championships and Abu Dhabi Grand Slam.

The women’s divisions will see three Olympic champions take to the tatami with the United States’ Kayla Harrison hoping to underline her world number one ranking in the women’s under 78kg event, while Cuba’s Idalys Ortiz will hope to improve on a disappointing seventh place finish in the over 78kg division in Qingdao.

Brazil’s Sarah Menezes will be the fourth London 2012 gold medallist to compete in Jeju but could face the challenge of Kosovo’s Distria Krasniqi, who has dropped down a weight division to the under 48kg event as she ramps up her preparations for Rio 2016.

To watch all the latest action and interviews on Judo TV, click here.

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