Action is set to take place across seven men’s and seven women’s categories from tomorrow until Saturday (February 18), with a strong home contingent set to feature.

Home representation is set to include Raz Hershko, the top seed in the women’s over +78 kilograms category, and Baruch Shmailov, the top seed in the men’s under -66kg category.

Gili Sharir, the third seed in the women’s under-63kg category, is another home judoka to watch, and will look to build on winning her category at the previous IJF Grand Slam event in Paris earlier this month.

During the draw ceremony for the event chief executive of the Israel Judo Federation Noam Greenberg said: "This is the eighth international judo event we host in Israel and we are honoured to do it yearly.

"On behalf of the Israel Judo Federation, I want to thank the IJF family, the IJF staff and especially Mr Vizer for the constant support offered to Israeli judo."

A period of silence took place during the ceremony to give those present the chance to offer thoughts and prayers to those affected by recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

On the sidelines of the event, the IJF head referee directors and referee supervisors met, with a focus around the application of the kansetsu-waza, a traditional joint locking technique.

Action is due to begin tomorrow at the Shlomo Arena with competition scheduled in the women’s under-48, under-52 and under-57kg categories, and the men’s under-60 and under-66kg categories.