This prestigious World Cup for the sport of Judo is presented with the support of the Miami-Dade Sports Commission, Miami-Dade County Commissioner and Miami-Dade Sports Commission Chairman Jose “Pepe” Díaz, and the City of Doral.

While in 2010 the competition attracted 45 countries from Asia, Africa, Oceania, Europe, and Latin America; this year the Judo World Cup is expecting more than 700 athletes and officials from 54 countries. Some of the participating countries include Korea, France, Australia, England, Brazil, Turkey, Spain, the United States and many others.

“We are honored to welcome the USA Judo World Cup to the City of Doral”, said Chairman of the Miami-Dade Sports Commission and Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Díaz. “Miami-Dade County did a wonderful job hosting the Judo World Cup in 2010 and I truly believe that this prestigious event will bring not only excitement but also international recognition and economic impact for Miami-Dade County. We are looking forward, once again, to see these young athletes as they compete with one goal in their minds: the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London”, added Commissioner Díaz.

All delegations will be staying at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa with actual competition taking place in the Legends Ballroom on the resort property.

“We are very proud to be hosting the International Judo Federation World Cup in our beautiful City for the second year. We look forward to welcoming the athletes from all the different nations and showing them why Doral is the premier place to live, work, learn and play,” said Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez.

The World Cup competition will begin Friday, July 1st at 10:00 a.m. with athletes fighting in preliminaries until 5:00 p.m. Finals will begin at 5:30 p.m. The World Cup will include athletes competing in seven (7) men’s and seven (7) women’s weight divisions.

“This year’s World Cup will surpass last year quality of competition as China and Russia has already confirmed participation. We expect to have over 50 of the best Olympic Judo teams from around the world here in Doral-Miami competing. The local youth will be able to see the very best Olympians compete in this great martial arts sport. Of course, this is only possible due to the support that the City of Doral, Miami Dade County and Miami Dade Sport Commission is giving us to bring this event to the area. This is a competition that local fans do not want to miss.”, said José Humberto Rodriguez, USA Judo CEO.

The USA World Cup will be nationally televised on Versus Sports Channel on July 15th from 5:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. (EST) thanks to an agreement between USA Judo and The United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

“We couldn’t be happier to have this prestigious event back in Miami at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa,” said Mike Sophia, Executive Director of the Miami-Dade Sports Commission.  “Not only is it a great boost to the local economy to have teams from around the world come here to compete, we have a greater sense of pride knowing so many of the top young athletes in the sport come from right here in South Florida.  Johny Prado does a great job developing some of the top judo talent in the country, right here in our backyard.”

Following the World Cup, the U.S. Open will be held on Sunday, July 3rd at the same site with most of the athletes who participated at the World Cup facing off once again, plus about 200 more USA elite judokas. Competition for the U.S. Open will begin at 7:00 a.m. with finals to follow at the conclusion of each weight division.

The City of Miami has been home to numerous international judo tournaments in the past,  including the 2010 Judo World Cup, the 2008 Pan American Championships and the 2006 U.S. Open Championships.

Those wishing to find more information on the World Cup may do so by visiting www.judoworldcupmiami.com or www.usjudo.org