The men's -73kgs features one of the most outstanding finals ever recorded between Yusuke Kanamaru (JPN) and Vitali Makarov (RUS). Which of these all out attacking fighters will throw the other? There are upsets galore in the -66kgs, who can pick the winner in this massive category? At -60kgs the Tunisian Anis Lounifi is aiming to become the first African World Judo Champion, but first can he get past the 1999 World finalists, Manolo Poulet (CUB) and the diminutive Kazuhiko Tokuno (JPN)?

In the women's -57kgs Olympic Champion Isabel Fernandez (ESP) is the favourite, but watch out for Deborah Gravenstijn (NED) on scintillating form and the young Cuban Yurisledis Lupetey. The Germans expect a medal at home in the -52kgs from Raffaella Imbriani, but what colour will it be? Following her Olympic victory can the unbelievable Ryoko Tamura (JPN) take the World title for a fifth consecutive time and re-write the record books? The Women's Open is spiced up by the -78kgs fighter Celine Lebrun (FRA) taking on the massive women. Can she cause an upset.

And in the Men's Open everyone is wondering if the young Russian Alexander Mikhaline can do the double, and if anyone can stop him taking two World titles.