A packed National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, Great Britain, is the setting for the last World Championships before the millenium. Part 1 covers the first two days of scintillating action. Can Shinichi Shinohara (JPN) at +100 Kgs, avenge his defeat in the final of the last Worlds? At over and under 78 Kilograms can Christine Cicot (FRA) and Noriko Anno (JPN) defend their heavyweight titles? Will Ulla Werbrouck (BEL), fighting at the new weight of –70 Kgs finally capture the World title that has eluded her? Will Pavel Nastula (POL) continue his great run of World and Olympic triumphs or will the exciting young guns from Japan, Korea and Russia challenge his supremacy in the –100 Kgs? At –90 Kgs will Japan’s Hidehiko Yoshida’s classical judo triumph over the powerful European styles? Gella Vandecaveye (BEL) is chasing a second World title at –63 Kgs; can anyone stop her? And will Graeme Randall (GBR) bring the enthusiastic home crowd the -81 Kgs victory it craves?