The battle for places on the judo mats at Rio 2016 begins on 30 May, when the qualification period opens, with 352 spots up for grabs via world ranking positions. But for 150 athletes from 10 countries, preparations for the first Olympic Games in South America are already taking place on Brazilian soil. The group, which includes 13 Olympic medal-winners and 22 world championship medallists, have been participating in the biggest judo training camp ever conducted in the country, at the Brazilian volleyball team’s training centre in Saquarema, in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Judokas from Brazil, France, the Netherlands, Russia, Germany, Slovenia, Finland, Portugal, Angola and Mongolia are at the camp, which runs from 12 to 22 March, engaging in a routine including a morning weigh-in and two intense training periods, as well as gym work. Brazilian Rafaela Silva, the world No.1 and world champion in the lightweight category (up to 57 kg), describes it as a unique opportunity to train with her main rivals, such as German Miryam Roper, ranked No.2.

“The main athletes in my category are here and it’s a great chance for me to train with them and gauge their level,” said Silva. “The Olympic ranking system will start counting points in May and for the athletes who are in the top positions, it will be a great challenge. The focus will be on the tournaments that are worth the most points.”

Dutchman Henk Grol, European champion in the half-heavyweight category (up to 100 kg), won bronze at the last two Olympic Games, but is aiming to change the colour of his medal in Rio.

“Training in these higher temperatures will help me in the physical part (of qualifying for Rio). I will continue to fight and make sacrifices in pursuit of my only dream, which is to win a gold. I really like Rio and being able to achieve this dream at the 2016 Games would be perfect,” said Grol, who is currently ranked third in the world.

Slovenian Urska Zolnir, who won gold in London in the half-middleweight category (up to 63 kg) to become the first female Olympic champion from her country, revealed she does not plan to compete at Rio 2016. Now aged 32, she is using her time in Brazil to improve her technique, with an eye on the European championships in April.

“I’ve already been to three Olympic Games and I think it’s time to give way to younger people, but I was interested in coming because this training is very important for us, to be in contact with different athletes and learn new techniques,” she said.

Sarah Menezes aims to retain her gold medal from London at the Rio 2016 Games (Photo: Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)

Among the younger generation is Sarah Menezes, who became Brazil’s first female Olympic judo champion by winning the extra lightweight event (up to 48kg) in London. She is dreaming of repeating the feat on home soil in 2016.

"I’m really excited,” she said. “Competing in the Olympic Games is always different, it’s such a huge experience. I really want to retain my title in Rio and I know I’ll be able to count on the support of the Brazilian people.”

With the season’s main competitions scheduled for May onwards, some athletes are also using the training in Saquarema to improve their physical fitness. This is the case with Tiago Camilo, a 31-year-old Brazilian, who had surgery on his right shoulder last September and did not take part in the world championships, which were held in Rio de Janeiro last August. Having participated in four Olympic Games and won two medals – silver at Sydney 2000 and bronze at Beijing 2008 – Camilo, who is currently ranked 23rd in the middleweight category (up to 90 kg), plans to bid farewell to the Olympic Games in Rio.

“I’m recovering from my injury and I made a point of coming,” he said. “This training period is great for me to improve my pace and fitness level. I’m entering my fifth and last Olympic cycle, but I am trying not to let the pressure get to me. I’m focused on setting an intelligent plan, getting good results, going up the rankings and trying to stay among the best.”

Rosicleia Campos, who competed at the Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, now coaches the Brazilian women’s team and is one of the organisers of the training camp in Saquarema, conducted by the Brazilian Judo Confederation (CBJ) and Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB). Satisfied with the way things have gone, Campos said the intention is to make it a permanent event.

“This is the biggest training activity ever held in Brazil,” she said. “We want it to be part of the official training calendar of the International Judo Federation so that we can repeat it every year.”

Under the Olympic classification system, athletes will accumulate points in the world rankings between 30 May 2014 and 30 May 2016. At the end of this period, the 22 best-ranking male athletes in each weight category and the 14 best-ranking women in each category will have guaranteed their places at the Rio 2016 Games, adding up to 252 qualifying athletes.

A further 100 places will also be obtained through the rankings, in a way that ensures a minimum of 10 representatives per continent. In 2014, the competitions that will offer the most points are the world championships in Russia in August and the Grand Slams in Russia in July and Japan in December.