World number one Temur Rakhimov will carry home hopes in Dushanbe ©Getty Images

More than 300 athletes have signed-up to compete at the inaugural International Judo Federation (IJF) Dushanbe Grand Prix, which is due to begin in Tajikistan's capital tomorrow.

Forty countries will be represented across 14 men's and women's weight divisions at the Kasri Tennis Arena.

Hosts Tajikistan will look to Temur Rakhimov, the world number one in the men's over-100 kilograms class, as a great chance for home gold.

Rakhimov won gold at the Baku Grand Slam in November and will be looking to impress at the first Grand Prix event in his own country.

Elsewhere, Komronshokh Ustopiriyon will be another hope for the hosts as the top seed in the men's under-90kg.

Germany's double Olympic bronze medallist Anna-Maria Wagner is part of the field in Tajikistan ©Getty Images
Germany's double Olympic bronze medallist Anna-Maria Wagner is part of the field in Tajikistan ©Getty Images

Others to watch include Anna-Maria Wagner of Germany, the top seed in the women's under-78kg and a double Olympic bronze medallist.

Britain's Kelly Petersen Pollard in the women's under-70kg and Uzbekistan's Shakhram Akhadov in the men's under-73kg are both multiple medallists on the World Judo Tour, alongside Mongolian pair Ganbaataryn Narantsetseg and Bishreltiin Khorloodoi in the women's under-48kg and under-52kg respectively. 

The IJF penned an agreement with the Tajikistan Judo Federation to bring the World Judo Tour to the country in November.

It means Tajikistan will be on the circuit for at least the next four years. 

This year's event will run until Sunday (June 4).