DUSHANBE, August 26, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Three Tajik judokas are participating in the 2009 World Judo Championships that kicked off in Rotterdam the Netherlands today, according to Tajikistan’s National Olympic Committee (NOC).

Sherali Bozorov, Farhod Rahimov and Muhammadmurod Abdurahmonov are representing Tajikistan in the championships, the source said.

According to him, more than 600 athletes from 103 countries of the world are participating in the judo championships in Rotterdam.  They will compete for medals in fourteen weight categories (seven men’s and seven women’s weight categories), the source said.

The World Judo Championships are the highest level of international judo competition, along with the Olympic judo competition. The championships are held once every two years by the International Judo Federation, and qualified judoka compete in their respective categories as representatives of their home countries.  Team competitions have also been held since 1994.  The men''s championships began in 1956, though the format and periodicity of the championships have changed overtime.  The 26th edition of the championships is taking place in Rotterdam, Netherlands this year.