-90 kg: Matiyev and Tajima Head a Wide-Open Field
Fresh from his bronze medal at the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam, Murad Fatiyev (AZE) arrives in Qingdao as the top seed. The winner of the OTP Group Tashkent Grand Slam earlier this season has established himself among the leading contenders in the category and will be aiming to add another title to his growing collection.
Standing in his way is 2024 world champion Goki Tajima (JPN), who occupies the bottom half of the draw and will undoubtedly have his sights set on gold.
Brazil's Guilherme Schmidt is another serious medal prospect. Already the owner of two grand prix medals, one silver and one bronze, he now has the opportunity to complete the set with gold. Serbia's Boris Rutovic, bronze medallist in Ulaanbaatar, heads pool D and also enters the competition with genuine podium ambitions. Although the top four seeds stand out on paper, this remains one of the most unpredictable categories of the tournament.
-78 kg: Olek Leads a Competitive Line-Up
Anna Monta Olek (GER) finished fifth at last week's Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam after losing to compatriot Alina Boehm. A rematch remains a possibility in Qingdao, should both athletes progress through their respective sections of the draw. Olek nevertheless starts as the top seed, with Boehm among her principal challengers.
Metka Lobnik (SLO) has already demonstrated her consistency with bronze medals in Austria and at the European Championships. She also knows exactly what it takes to stand on the top step of the podium, having won the Lima Grand Prix last year before adding a grand slam gold in Tbilisi.
Brazil's Beatriz Freitas completes the top four. The grand prix silver medallist will be looking to climb one step higher this weekend and claim the biggest title of her career so far.
-100 kg: Everything to Play For
Anton Savytskiy (UKR) once again leads the seeding despite an early exit in Ulaanbaatar preventing him from capitalising on his top ranking last weekend. Qingdao offers an immediate opportunity to respond.
Idar Bifov (RUS) is another genuine contender but beyond the leading seeds this category appears remarkably open. Hungary's Zsombor Veg and China's Huang Fuchun could both mount serious challenges, with Huang hoping to draw inspiration from competing in front of his home supporters.
Former world silver medallist Kyle Reyes (CAN) also returns to the World Judo Tour. With his experience and dynamic style, the Canadian remains capable of troubling any opponent.
+78 kg: Hershko Ready for Redemption
Raz Hershko (ISR) saw her campaign in Ulaanbaatar come to an unexpected end following a technical error that brought an abrupt conclusion to her tournament. Back as the top seed in Qingdao, she will be determined to demonstrate her true level and challenge for gold.
France's Lea Fontaine looks set to be one of her principal rivals, although recent meetings between the two have gone in Hershko's favour.
The home crowd will be firmly behind China's Liu Xinran and Jinesinuer Ayiman. Unfortunately for the host nation, the draw means the two Chinese athletes could meet at an early stage of the competition.
In the bottom half of the draw, Croatia's Helena Vukovic, who narrowly missed the podium in Mongolia, will be aiming to go one better and leave Qingdao with a medal.
+100 kg: Heavyweight Power to Close the Weekend
The heavyweight competition in Ulaanbaatar delivered some of the most memorable contests of the opening qualification event and there is every reason to expect more of the same in Qingdao.
World number two Ushangi Kokauri (AZE) leads the draw as the top seed. The runner-up at the Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam earlier this year, he will be chasing a second grand prix gold medal following his victory in Guadalajara in 2025.
Lukas Krpalek (CZE), a world champion and double Olympic champion, continues his busy schedule. Last weekend he produced several memorable contests, including an outstanding bronze medal contest against Inal Tasoev (RUS), eventually losing with great determination. The Czech legend will undoubtedly be targeting another podium finish in Qingdao.
Dzhamal Gamzatkhanov (AZE) and Japan's Hyoga Ota complete a particularly strong quartet of leading contenders, ensuring that the final category of the tournament should provide a fitting conclusion to another outstanding weekend of World Judo Tour action.
The final day brings together proven champions, emerging talent and compelling storylines across every category. Rankings provide a useful indication of the favourites, but experience tells us that surprises are never far away. By the end of Sunday, Qingdao will have delivered another important chapter in the race towards the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.