A total of 41 out of the 42 European athletes who have qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games are set to battle it out in Montreux ©ETU

A total of 41 out of the 42 European athletes who have qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will battle it out for continental glory at the European Taekwondo Championships in Montreux, which get underway tomorrow and conclude on Sunday (May 22).

The event at the Salle Omnisport du Pierrer has attracted a strong list of participants, with a total of 387 taekwondo players from 37 countries due to compete across the four-day Championships.

Among the top names set to be in attendance are Britain’s Jade Jones, 57kg Olympic gold medallist at London 2012, and compatriot Lutalo Muhammad, who finished third in the under 80 kilograms division at his home Games four years ago.

All of the competitors will be vying to lay down a marker ahead of Rio 2016, with the event in Montreux offering one of the last opportunities to compete at the highest level before they travel to the Brazilian city.

European Taekwondo Union (ETU) secretary general Michael Fysentzidis expects to see athletes who could go on to earn Olympic medals at this year’s Games participate in their biennial flagship tournament.

“All spectators can witness first-hand the elite of European taekwondo fighters and most probably some of the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympic medallists,” he said during the event’s opening press conference.

ETU secretary general Michael Fysentzidis is expecting a high standard event in Montreux with 41 of the 42 taekwondo players who have qualified for Rio 2016 in action
ETU secretary general Michael Fysentzidis is expecting a high standard event in Montreux with 41 of the 42 taekwondo players who have qualified for Rio 2016 in action ©ETU

The proximity of the European Taekwondo Championships to Rio 2016 has also been praised by Organising Committee President Jean-Marie Ayer.

“The dynamic of this event before the Olympic Games Rio 2016 is paramount, since 41 out of 42 athletes that have qualified for Rio 2016 will compete during the days of the Championships," he said.

Four categories form the programme for the opening day, with action due to be held in the women’s under 46 and under 49kg categories, as well as the men’s under 54kg and under 58kg divisions.

World number one Kyriaki Kouttouki of Cyprus is the favourite in the under 46kg event, while France’s Yasmina Aziez will be aiming to show why she is the globe’s top-ranked taekwondo player in the under 49kg competition.

Portugal’s Rui Braganca will be the one to watch in the men’s under 58kg class as he bids to defend the continental title he won at the 2014 competition in Azerbaijani capital Baku.