Taking place at Cycle track "Saryarka", the three-day event will offer a first test for competitors from the world's largest continent to compete since the Asian Games in Incheon last month, as well as for those from the rest of the world.

But it also holds extra significance because Astana, Kazakhstan's capital since 1997, is also due to host the 2015 edition of the World Judo Championships.

The host nation will undoubtedly be looking to lay down a marker ahead of next year's event, with a 48-strong team consisting of 26 men and 22 women attempting to emulate the five gold, five silver and six bronze won by Kazakhstan at the Grand Prix in Almaty last year.

Leading the way this time will be Maxim Rakov, the 2009 world champion in the under 100 kilogram division, while Asian Games under 60kg gold medal winner Yeldos Smetov should also figure highly as he attempts to successfully defend the title he won in Kazakhstan last year.

Asian Games champion Yeldos Smetov will be going for home gold in Astana
©AFP/Getty Images



Rakov will face opposition from the likes of Madrid European Open bronze medallist Artem Bloshenko of Ukraine, Tyumen Grand Slam bronze medallist Martin Pacek of Sweden and London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Dimitri Peters of Germany, while Smetov's main challenge will be provided by 2013 World Championship silver medal winner Amartuvshin Dashdavaa of Mongolia.

From an international perspective, a leading entry is Brazil's double Olympic bronze medallist Leandro Guilheiro, who after two years out due to a knee injury, will be beginning his preparations for an attempt to win another Olympic medal, on a home mat at Rio 2016. 

His main opposition in the under 81kg division is expected to come from Russia's Baku Grand Slam winner Alan Khubetsov.

On the women's side, meanwhile, a strong German team provides the top seeds for the three heaviest categories, with European silver medallist Laura Vargas-Koch the leading entry in the under 70kg division.

In the under 78kg competition, Ulaanbaatar Grand Prix silver medallist Luise Malzahnwill will be up against Samsun Grand Prix bronze medallist Ivana Maranic of Croatia and Commonwealth Games winner Natalie Powell of Great Britain, while Franziska Konitz will be hoping to improve upon a career best fifth-place finish at the 2014 World Championships in the over 78kg event.