Tokyo stands ready to welcome back its famous judo Grand Slam event tomorrow ©Getty Images

Tokyo stands ready to welcome back its famous Judo Grand Slam event, which had been relocated for two years to Osaka during preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Games and after the global pandemic.

Following the draw that took place today a total of 346 judoka - 201 men and 145 women - from 59 countries are ready for the tournament which counts towards Paris 2024 qualification.

The latest stage of the International Judo Federation (IJF) World Tour will take place at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, which hosted table tennis during last summer's Tokyo 2020 Games.

Los Angeles 1984 gold medallist and four-times world champion Yasuhiro Yamashita, the All Japan Judo Federation and Japanese Olympic Committee President, welcomed the IJF President Marius Vizer and his executive committee members.

"It is with great pleasure and privilege that I welcome you to the Tokyo Grand Slam,” said Yamashita, who is also an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member.

Japan's 1984 Olympic champion and current Olympic Committee President Yasuhiro Yamashita, centre, said the Tokyo Grand Slam that starts tomorrow promises
Japan's 1984 Olympic champion and current Olympic Committee President Yasuhiro Yamashita, centre, said the Tokyo Grand Slam that starts tomorrow promises "heated competition" ©IJF

"The world's best judoka are now united in Japan, including ones who achieved great success at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the recent Tashkent World Championships.

"We can expect heated competition from the world’s best judoka this weekend."

Competition starts tomorrow in the under-57-kilogram, under-63kg, under-70kg, under-81kg and under-90kg categories.