Judokas from countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, Panama, Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia have entered the competition at the Pedregal, which concludes on Sunday (April 22).

It will offer competitors the chance to lay down an early marker prior to next year's International Judo Federation World Championships in the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic host city of Tokyo.

The non-Olympic kata discipline of judo will also be showcased during the course of the event, with around 70 athletes due to take part.

"We are very happy, this is one of the four most important events in the continent and organising it in Costa Rica is a huge pride," Costa Rica Judo Federation President Dudley Lopez said.

"We know Costa Rica is already recognised as a country with great capacity to organise events of this magnitude, we took the preparation seriously, taking on the challenge this represents and the joy we have as Costa Ricans to receive all foreign athletes."

Costa Rica was awarded the Continental Championship in 2017 at the Pan American Judo Confederation's Congress in the American city of Miami.

The nation also staged the event back in 2015.