In a few days time the Paralympic year will begin with the 2019 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Judo American Championships in Montreal, Canada.

Judoka from across the region will go for titles at what is also billed as a key qualification opportunity for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

Here are some important facts to know ahead of the competition which takes place on 12 January.

The road to the Paralympics

As the clock ticks down to Tokyo 2020 there are just three competitions left in which athletes can gain world ranking points. The rankings will be used to determine who has qualified for the Paralympic Games so every ippon and waza ari counts in Montreal.

Following the American Championships, there are just two Grand Prix remaining for athletes to secure their seat on the plane to Japan. Nottingham, Great Britain, will host from 11-12 April followed by Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11-12 May.

Top names to compete

At the Rio 2016 Paralympics athletes from the Americas occupied 12 podium spots, including three golds.

Some of those hoping to defend their titles in Tokyo will also take to the mat in Montreal.
The Mexican duo of Lenia Ruvalcaba and Eduardo Avila Sanchez are the respective women’s up to 70kg and men’s up to 81kg champions.

Brazil’s Alana Martins is a rival to Ruvalcaba as the reigning world champion whilst teammate Meg Emmerich is a Worlds bronze medallist in the women’s over 70kg.

Watch live

Fans can watch every single throw and hold of the 2019 IBSA Judo American Championships live on IBSA Judo’s Facebook page and IBSA’s YouTube channel from 9.30am EST on Sunday.