The 2018 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Judo World Championships will get underway in Odivelas, Portugal, from 16-18 November.

It is the biggest competition on the calendar and also an opportunity to grab qualification points for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

All competitions will be shown live at IBSA’s YouTube channel and IBSA Judo’s Facebook page.

IBSA Judo is giving fans an insight into some of the athletes competing by describing at least one for each letter of the alphabet in an A-Z series.

H

Junko Hirose is one of Japan’s brightest medal hopes heading into the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Her record includes a bronze from the Rio 2016 Paralympics and the Asian Para Games in the women’s up to 57kg.

Alongside her husband Haruka Hirose, the pair are a judo power couple.

I

Defending world champion Iryna Husieva of Ukraine was beaten to Paralympic gold by Cuba’s Dalidaivis Rodriguez at Rio 2016 in the women’s up to 63kg. However in the absence of the Cuban, Husieva will be hoping for a clear shot on gold in Odivelas.

J

South Korea’s Hyunho Jung burst onto the international scene at the IBSA Judo World Cup in Atyrau, Kazakhstan, in September. The 23-year-old won the men’s up to 66kg, beating Ukraine’s Rio 2016 bronze medallist Davyd Khorava to gold.

K

Taking on a strong field in the men’s up to 73kg is Ukraine’s Serhii Kotenko. The 25-year-old won silver at the 2014 World Championships in Colorado, USA. He is also the holder of an impressive three bronze and one silver medal from European Championships in a variety of different weight categories as he has moved his way up over the years.

The 2018 IBSA Judo World Championships will feature nearly 300 of the world’s best judoka from more than 30 countries.

As well as the livestream, live coverage will be available at IBSA Judo’s Twitter and Instagram.

Media accreditation is available by contacting [email protected].