Fairbrother is favourite

From the Brazilians and Bulgarians in Chiba to the Mongolians, Italians and British in Tsukuba, for the past week judo halls around Tokyo have not been the preserve of the Japanese.

All nationalities have been engaged in honing the edges for judo's return to its roots after 37 years. Today sees the start of the World Judo Championships here, and the changes since the sport last staged its premier event here have been enormous.

In 1958, there was only one category, the men's open, and it was won by Koji Sone, with another Japanese, Akio Kaminaga, taking the silver medal. This year, more than 600 competitors from 88 countries will contest eight categories in the men's event and eight in the women's - and no longer can the Japanese expect to dominate.

Judo is now a truly international sport, and the more fiercely competitive for it. This applies as much to the women as the men. Indeed, for the past decade British world title hopes have primarily rested with female fighters: Karen Briggs, Diane Bell and Sharon Rendle. The latest in this impressive line is the 25-year-old Nicola Fairbrother, who won the world lightweight title in Hamilton, Canada, two years ago. The Japanese are only too aware of her - she threw their champion, Chiyori Tateno, in the final.

Earlier this year, she confirmed her class by adding a European title in Birmingham. This makes her an inevitable favourite on Saturday.

But tensions here are running high. In 1958, judo was a simple game. The goal for the foreigners was to beat the hosts. Now there is talent, expertise and a real understanding of technique everywhere; Fairbrother regards Driulis Gonzalez of Cuba as one of her key rivals. Both Gonzalez and Fairbrother have another goal in mind. For the first time, Olympic qualification is necessary, and the most certain way is to gain a medal or at least a place in the top eight in Makuhari.

Which is why Neil Adams, the British manager, has opted for experience as much as flair. This will be evident today when the charismatic heavyweight Elvis Gordon walks on the mat. At 37, can he squeeze in to secure a place for Britain in Atlanta?

And what about 32-year-old Ray Stevens, the Olympic light heavyweight silver medallist who also fights today? "Either of them could do it," insists Adams. Kate Howey, at 22, may be of a more appropriate age for a combat sport, and she is gunning to improve upon the light heavyweight silver medal she won last year. It is almost certain that the British women will, once again, achieve more success than the men, with Rendle, Bell and the world bantamweight bronze medallist, Joyce Heron, all still fighting superbly despite being over 30.

But perhaps this event will see the emergence of another talented British male fighter. Danny Kingston, a lightweight from Camberley, made a huge impression here three months ago when he threw one of the great figures of the moment, Toshihiko Koga. Can Kingston, still only 21, do this when it really counts? This World Championships will see.