With a carefully balanced mix of physical and mental strategy on hand, the cream of New Zealand's judo talent will clash in Tauranga this weekend.

Once again Aquinas College's Action Centre will host the 2015 Waikato/BOP Area Judo Association ‘Open' Championships, becoming home to the country's top fighters with at least 300 entries across both junior and senior divisions.

Judo fighters put their skills to the test at the 2014 Waikato/BOP Area Judo Association ‘Open' Championships. Photo: Cameron Avery.

Hosted by the Waikato/BOP Area Judo Association, the championships also coincide with Judo New Zealand's second squad training camp of 2015.

Judo is a modern martial art, combat and Olympic sport created in Japan in 1882.

'It would probably be stronger than the national championships just because it's an open championships, so we have people from other countries competing as well,” says Tauranga Judo Club head coach Kevin Kavanagh.

'With the national camp held here at the same time, all the best fighters in the country will be here. There will probably well over 100 juniors and there will be at least 200 seniors.”

Among the big names to grace the floor will be Tauranga's Chanel Kavanagh, a 2014 Commonwealth Games competitor, and 1990 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Wayne Watson.

Kevin says the Tauranga club will be well represented, led by a strong junior contingent eager to put their training to the test.

The open tournament is a chance for fighters to not only test themselves against opponents from outside the region, but also improve their rankings in the sport.

Each fighter will compete in at least three bouts in order to progress to the finals in their respective divisions.

Age groups include Junior, from 7-11, Senior, from 11-15, Cadets aged 15-18, Junior Men and Women, both 18-21, and Senior and Masters.

Event organiser Graeme Fair says the championships continue to attract some of the highest-ranking judo fighters in New Zealand, from as far away as the South Island.

The championships run from 9.30am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The first day sees the Cadet and Senior divisions compete, with the Junior and Masters divisions on Sunday. Entry is free.