France topped the medals table at their home Grand Slam in Paris and the second one in Tel Aviv in 2023.

The European nation is expected to repeat the performance in Tashkent, where the 2022 World Championships was held last October. 

Cédric Revol will lead the charge for France on day one after two medals in the men's under-60 kilograms category in the World Your this year. 

However, he will face stiff competition in Georgian 2019 world champion Lukhumi Chkhvimiani, who will start as the second seed in the category.

Walide Khyar, who is yet to medal in 2023, will start as the number one for the French in the men's under-66kg category, as nine of the top-10 ranked judokas in the category will not be taking part in Uzbekistan.

However, home favourite Sardor Nurillaev will be hoping to make the most of the crowd support when he takes to the mat.  

In the women's under-48kg, the 32-year-old Katharina Menz of Germany will be hoping to finish on the podium again on Uzbek soil.

Menz, who got a silver at the World Championships last year, will be up against number one seed Catarina Costa of Portugal and multiple World Tour medallist Martinez Abelenda of Spain.

With 364 athletes from 49 different nations competing in Uzbekistan with an eye on Paris 2020 Olympics, Adham Ikramov, Minister of Youth Policy and Sports for Uzbekistan, said he expects it to be a "sparkling event". 

"We can be proud that Uzbekistan has a long experience hosting IJF tournaments," said Ikramov.

"This grand slam is organised for the second time.

"I have to especially admit that the success of the world championships in 2022 was a great honour for all of us and we are proud that our athletes won two gold medals.

"I am assuring you that this event will be organised at the highest level too. 

"We expect this tournament to be a sparkling event and that this competition will bring opportunities to earn valuable points for Olympic qualification for Paris 2024."

The Grand Slam is set to conclude on March 5.