Alexandria, the Egiptian city which stands in the west point of the great delta of the Nile river, is ready to host the 2023 IBSA Judo Grand Prix Egipt.

The Borj Al Arab Sports Hall will gather 161 judocas, from 33 countries, trying to pave their way on the Road to Paris 2024.

János Tardos, IBSA Judo Sports Committee Chairperson, expects high level competition. “We also expect, step by step, more countries, and more participants. We start this year in Portugal and there were a little more than 100 athletes. Now we have more than 160, so we are watching the participation growing higher every time. Unfortunately, the next Grand Prix, in Antalya, had to be cancelled because of the earthquake in Turkiye but I think we will reach the higher number at the IBSA World Games in Birmingham, in August. The numbers from IBSA Assist are showing more than 300 judocas competing in Great Britain. This is the real power of IBSA Judo! We are very pleased with this number because we miss a lot of fighters from Tokyo, regarding the new strict classification rule for the former B3 fighters. Now, in the World Ranking List, we have almost the same number as before Tokyo”.

The competition will start at 9am CET (10am local time) with the preliminaries and repechage on three tatamis for the following categories: women J1 -48kg, J2 -48kg, and J2 – 57kg, and men J1 -60kg, J1 -73kg, J2 -60kg, and J2 -73kg.

Between 1.30pm and 1.45pm CET will have the opening ceremony, and the final block and medal ceremonies for the mentioned categories will start at 3pm CET (4pm local time).

As usual, all the action can be followed at the IBSA YouTube channel or by following the live streaming buttons on the homepages of www.ibsasport.org or www.ibsajudo.sport.