The International Judo Federation (IJF) World Championships start this week at the Nippon Budokan, which will also host the 2020 Olympic competition.

Kosei Inoue says the Championships are a huge opportunity for Olympic hopefuls to prove themselves worthy of competing at a home Games next summer.

He told Kyodo News: "It's really important to gain momentum for the Olympics, so I want it to be a year where we can accelerate.

"We're fighting now, determined to be totally burnt out after the Olympics.

"It's very big within the selection system that's been established.

"It will act as a huge advantage if someone becomes a world champion here.

"There is no doubt that we will be looking at athletes from that perspective.

"There will be tension among the athletes and they'll be fighting for results."

Inoue, who won gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and was a three-time 100 kilogram world champion, is confident of matching the All Japan Judo Federation's demands of a podium finish in each category.

He said: "Our goal of winning medals in every weight class hasn't changed, but we expect at least two gold medals in the first half [up to 73kg] and one or two in the second half.

"I want to keep the minimum line at three to four gold medals."

The IJF World Championships take place in Tokyo between August 24 and September 1.

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