Only the top 16 judoka in each weight category have been invited to compete at the Yubileyny Sports Palace, with action beginning tomorrow.

Gold medallists will receive 1,800 world ranking points and finishing the year on top of the pile will be on the minds of some of those competing.

For the first time, the IJF is offering $50,000 (£38,000/€43,000) in prize money for those who finish the calendar year as the world number one, meaning there is extra financial incentive in Russia.

Among those set to compete are Olympic champions Rafaela Silva of Brazil and Khasan Khalmurzaev of Russia, at women's under-57 kilograms and men's under-81kg respectively.

World champions taking part include Japan's Soichi Hashimoto and Tonaki Funa, at men's under-73kg and women's under-48kg.

Clarisse Agbegnenou of France and Mayra Aguiar of Brazil, who contest the women's under-63kg and under-78kg divisions respectively, are other world champions set to compete.

"The city will be the capital of the judo world this weekend, in the middle of December, and the first edition of the Masters here will be a very important event," said IJF President Marius Vizer. 

"I wish you all the best of luck this weekend and a good stay in Russia."

The two day competition will begin tomorrow with the women competing at under-48kg, under-52kg, under-57kg and under-63kg.

The men will contest under-60kg, under-66kg and under-73kg competitions.

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