The event, which is part of the International Sambo Federation (FIAS) World Cup, will take place in the Luzhniki Small Sports Arena from tomorrow until Saturday (March 25).

Athletes from Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Italy, Spain, Kazakhstan, Cameroon, Cyprus and Kyrgyzstan are due to take part in Russia's capital.

They will be joined by competitors from South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Moldova, Russia, Romania, United States, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, France, Czech Republic and Japan.

FIAS President Vasiliy Shestakov has hailed the growth of the event, which is dedicated to one of sambo's founders, Anatoliy Arkad'yevich Kharlampiev.

"Last year a Kharlampiev Memorial record was achieved," Shestakov said.

"Before the number of participants used to vary between 150 and 170, but now the number of athletes, who want to compete for the World Cup, has almost doubled.

"I think in the future the popularity of this tournament will only grow."

Athletes and officials will lay flowers in front of the monument to Kharlampiev at the Novodevichy cemetery as part of the pre-tournament tradition.

Nine weight categories will be contested in both the men's and women's events over the two days of competition.

The 57 kilogram, 68kg, 82kg and 100kg men's events will take place tomorrow, along with the 52kg, 60kg, 68kg and 80kg women's divisions.

Combat sambo action is also due to take place, while all remaining divisions will be contested on the final day of competition.

A live broadcast of the tournament will take place on the FIAS website, as well as the organisation's Facebook page.