A field of 600 athletes have gathered for the IJF Antalya Grand Slam, the last before this year's World Championships ©IJF

The final International Judo Federation Grand Slam before the World Championships, in the Turkish city of Antalya, has attracted a huge field of 600 athletes to an event that “gives hope” to a country shattered by last month’s earthquakes.

Speaking at today’s draw, Sezer Huysuz, President of the Turkish Judo Federation, offered thanks for being able to organise another Grand Slam event in Antalya, adding: "We are very proud of the international ljudo family being with us, especially in this time of tragedy.

"It gives us hope.

"Having you here, we feel much better.

"It will help us to recover from this tragedy.”

The earthquakes on February 6, according to the latest figures, caused 49,500 deaths in Turkey and more than 7,200 in neighbouring Syria.

Lisa Allan, IJF events director, said: "It's a time of great sadness and we want to stand in solidarity with our dear friends and colleagues who have all been affected by the recent tragedy in Turkey.

"We are proud of our community, their values and their strength as we come together to do everything we can to comfort and rebuild."

Sezer Huysuz, President of the Turkish Judo Federation, centre, has welcomed the international judo family to Antalya, saying the visit gives hope after the recent tragedy of the earthquakes in the region ©IJF
Sezer Huysuz, President of the Turkish Judo Federation, centre, has welcomed the international judo family to Antalya, saying the visit gives hope after the recent tragedy of the earthquakes in the region ©IJF

With 600 athletes - 263 of whom are women - due to take part, representing 83 countries, this is among the biggest events of the season, offering many judoka a last big chance of top competition before they start preparations for the World Championships, due to take place in Doha from May 7 to 14.

After today’s draw for an event that will conclude on Sunday (April 2), competition is scheduled to tomorrow with the women’s under-48 kilograms, under-52kg and under-57kg categories, and the men’s under-60kg and under 66-kg categories.

Tomorrow’s women events are set to see Germany’s world silver medallist in the extra-lightweight under-48kg category, Katharina Menz, in action.

Britain’s Chelsie Giles, who took world silver in the women’s half-lightweight under-52kg class, also looks a favourite.

The women’s lightweight under-57kg category will feature Brazil’s Olympic and World Championship gold medallist Rafaela Silva, who was unable to defend her Rio 2016 title at the re-arranged Games in Tokyo following a positive drugs test for asthma drug fenoterol.

Brazil's Olympic gold medallist and world champion Rafaela Silva will be in action in the women's under-57kg class on the opening day of the IJF Antalya Grand Prix tomorrow ©Getty Images
Brazil's Olympic gold medallist and world champion Rafaela Silva will be in action in the women's under-57kg class on the opening day of the IJF Antalya Grand Prix tomorrow ©Getty Images

Mongolia’s world silver Enkhtaivany Ariunbold is in the field for the men’s extra lightweight under-60kg class.

In the men’s half-lightweight under-66kg category there will be high hopes for Moldova’s world bronze medallist Denis Vieru.

Looking at the other end of the competition weights, the women’s heavyweight over-78kg class promises much, featuring as it does France’s world champion Romane Dicko and world silver medallist Beatriz Souza of Brazil.

The men’s over-100kg heavyweight category includes the Dutch judoka currently world-ranked 11th, Roy Meyer, Brazil’s 17th-ranked Rafael Silva and 27th-ranked United Arab Emirates athlete Magomedomar Magomedomarov.