The event, featuring the seven best men and seven best women from each continent, is due to take place on January 25 in a city that was was the first Russian settlement in Siberia and which has grown rich thanks to establishing itself as an important service centre for the gas and oil industries in Russia.

It claims to be the hotbed of judo in Russia and has invested heavily in the sport.

It has been rewarded by, not only being awarded the first first Intercontinental Judo Hero Challenge, but also from next year Russia's next three editions of the Grand Slam, which has been moved from Moscow, meaning it joins an elite group of events in Tokyo, Baku and Paris.

The contracts were signed today by Vizer and Tyumen Governor Vladimir Yakushev during the SportAccord World Combat Games, which are currently taking place here, at a ceremony attended by Russia's Tagir Khaybulaev, the London 2012 Olympic under 100 kilogram gold medallist.

This new top team event, which has grown from a previous Judo Hero Challenge meeting last year, is again sponsored by Danish shoe company ECCO Ros and could be another important event in helping persuade the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to add the team event to the Olympic programme for Rio 2016 or, more likely, Tokyo 2020.

Marius Vizer (centre), President of the International Judo Federation, signs the contracts for Tyumen to host the first Intercontinental Challenge and the Russian leg of the Grand Slam next year

"I really want to thank Mr Yakushev for his very strong support to the development of judo in his region," said Vizer.

"The Challenge and the Grand Slam, will give new opportunities to support judo.

"The Tyumen Region does not only support the sport, but it also strongly support the education.

"This is particularly important to us.

"The perfect example is the construction of one of the most beautiful training centres in the world, which give the opportunity to more than 1,500 people to practice judo every week, from the youngster to the top athletes.

"The challenge will be organised by the IJF in partnership with the European Judo Union, the Russian Judo Federation and the Tyumen Region.

"I am sure that it will be a successful event for the benefit of our sport, of the athletes and the entire local society."

Siberian city Tyumen has invested heavily in providing top-class facilities for judo

Tyumen had earlier this year hosted the IJF Masters 

"It is a great responsibility to organise such big events and we will make them a success," said Yakushev. 

"In 2013, the World Masters were really well organised. we can all be proud of it.

"In Tuymen, we have already 12 institutions where judo is part of the curriculum and we have more than 5,000 judoka in the area.

"Most of them are young judoka. It is important that we give them the opportunity to dream and meet the bests of the bests.

"Every year we want to attract the top judo players.

"For us it is part of a large educational programme.

"Today people understand and love judo and judo has already become one to the top sports in the region.

"Judo is very popular and we want to reinforce that even more.

"If young judoka can identify them to national and international heroes, we can they that popularisation is on its way."

The second edition of the new Intercontinental Challenge is due to take place in an Asian city in 2015.

"After the two editions, 2014 and 2015, we will evaluate the event but I am confident that it will continue and travel over many countries," said Vizer.

"We are believing that it will attract of lot of media attention and that the public will greatly appreciate the Challenge."

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