The two-day event at the Papp Laszlo Sport Arena in the Hungarian capital, which finished yesterday, featured more than 400 competitors from 53 countries. 

"Most of the opinions consider this Grand Prix as one of the most successful first editions," said VIzer, whose Presidential office is based in Budapest.

"This city will be a candidate for the 2017 World Judo Championships.

"I congratulate Dr. Lazslo Toth, President of the Hungarian Judo Association, who has a brilliant team.

"He already organised a great European Championships last year and this year the Grand Prix is a great success."

Marius Vizer, President of the International Judo Federation, has praised the inaugural Budapest Grand Prix and backed their bid to host the 2017 World Championships ©IJF

Toth confirmed that Budapest has already started work on formulating a bid for the 2017 World Championships, an event they have never hosted. 

"I am very happy with the last two days," he said.

"The Hungarian Association had 170 volunteers with the 50-strong IJF team.

"The 2015 and 2016 editions [of the Grand Prix] are already contracted with the Hungarian Government and now I am very happy to report that the bid of the 2017 World Championships is in the hand of the Secretary of State.

"I hope that this autumn, this bid will become a reality.

"Everyone has a dream.

"My strongest dream is to organise the World Championships in Budapest in 2017."

Toth hopes that more than 20,000 youngsters will take up judo over the next few years and has already launched a development plan.

"This Grand Prix gave great opportunity to thousands of young people to get closer and closer to what judo is," he said.

"This September, a special school programme will start in Hungary with the support of Mr. Vizer.

"In the near future we also want to establish an Olympic centre here in Budapest.

"It should become real in September.

"We have a long term vision here in Budapest and this a great illustration of that vision.

"I am very happy to report to you that the Hungarian Government is very satisfied with the results obtained by our athletes and organisers and will strongly support the federation in the upcoming years."

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