The 2010 World Judo Championships are just two days away, with competition kicking off on Thursday 9th September at 1am GMT.

This year the spectacular event will break many records, the first of those being the number of competitors.

Many weight categories have already reached historical numbers of participants for a competition of that level, making it an even tougher job to become a World Champion in 2010.

So far, 101 countries have registered, including Great Britain with a 21-strong-team.

Japan and South Korea are the only nations to have fielded the maximum number of players in the new two-per-weight category rule with 28 players each.

Returning to the home of judo for the second time after staging it in Tokyo last in 1958, Japan has already welcomed the British team who flew out to Tokyo on Thursday 26th August.

The city has been celebrating all week with various events, including revealing a giant judogi, actually the largest in the world, by none other than Japanese judoka Kosei Inoue - the nation’s equivalent of David Beckham.

Since arriving on the Friday 27th August, the Brits had an initial weekend of recovery and then went straight in to a 10 day final preparation block at two of Tokyo’s top Universities.

The men’s team have been at Kokugakuin University and the women’s team at Teikyo University.

Today, the whole team moved to the official hotel for the final two days before competition.

The official draw will take place tomorrow, Wednesday 8th September, at 06.00am GMT at the Hotel Hilton Tokyo, and will be under the control and auspices of the IJF Sports Commission. The Brit’s draws will be detailed on the British Judo website tomorrow.

Competition will take place at Yoyogi National Gymnasium, a huge arena in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, which is famous for its suspension roof design.

Thursday September 9th: the Men's +100kg and -100kg and Women’s +78kg and -78kg compete. Competition starts at 02.00am GMT and finals begin at 09.30am GMT.

Friday September 10th: Men's -90kg and -81kg and Women -70kg. Competition at 02:00am GMT and finals begin at 09.30am GMT.

Saturday September 11th: Men's -73kg and Women -63kg and -57kg. Competition at 02:00am GMT and finals begin at 09.30am GMT. At 08:00 am the draw of the Open category will take place.

Sunday September 12th: Men's -66kg and -60kg and Women -52kg and -48kg. Competition begins at 01.00am GMT and finals begin at 9:00 am - Final block at 09.00am GMT.

Monday September 13th: Men's and Women's Open Category. Competition begins at 06.00am GMT and finals start at 09.30am GMT.

Watch a preview video here.

Some of the British Women's Team and BJA staff

at Teikyo University