Choi has been imperious in recent years, taking the gold medal at both the 2015 Championships in Moscow and the 2016 edition in Seoul.

She will face tough competition at the Ahoy Rotterdam venue, most notably from her compatriot Shim Suk-hee, who won three medals at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games and won the 2014 World Championships crown.

Canada's Marianne St-Gelais will be hoping to improve on her second place in the overall standings from last year’s World Championships. 

Great Britain's Elise Christie decided to skip the ISU European Short Track Speed Skating Championships earlier this year to focus her preparation on this weekend’s competition.

It was a decision made by both Christie and her coach Nicky Gooch.

"We have put a lot of thought into this decision," said Christie.

"I've been European champion more than once, but not yet world champion.

"This extra training time could help me achieve that goal.

"It's a risk, but I am willing to try."

Her best result at a World Championship came last year in Seoul, where she came third overall.

The hopes of the host nation rest on the shoulders of Suzanne Schulting, who will be hoping to clinch the overall title on home ice after she finished in fifth at last year's edition.

In the men's competition, reigning world champion Han Tianyu of China will be vying to retain his title this coming weekend but faces strong competition.

Canada's Charles Hamelin has finished on the podium at the World Championships six times with three second places and three third places.

The Hungarian brothers Shaolin Sandor Liu and Shaoang Liu are also contenders.

Shaolin finished second overall at this year's European Short Track Speed Skating Championships. 

Six-time world champion Victor An of Russia and double European champion Semen Elistratov of Russia will also be contenders to watch in the men’s field.

Home favourite Sjinkie Knegt of The Netherlands will be aiming to regain the World Championship title he won in 2015.

Action is due to start tomorrow with the qualifying rounds in the men's and women's 500 metres, 1,000m and 1,500m.

The finals of the 500m and 1,500m scheduled to take place on Saturday (March 11).

The 1,000m competition then draws to a close on Sunday (March 12) alongside the women's 3,000m relay and men's 5,000m relay.

The allround classification is based on the results of each skater in the three individual distances of 500m, 1,000m and 1,500m.

After the completion of the three distances only the top eight point scorers and those level with eighth place will skate in the 3,000m Super Final, where the overall world champion is crowned.

The Super Finals in the men's and women's competitions are also scheduled for Sunday (March 12).