THE players widely rated Hongkong's number one in women's and men's judo will both be missing from the national selection trials at Mei Lam Indoor Games Hall, Sha Tin, on February 14.
Tina Yu Wai-seung, the 1990 Asian Games bronze medallist, has opted not to compete because the Hongkong Judo Association's new selection rules mean that even if she wins she is unlikely to be chosen.
And Dutchman Hugo Weijermars, a past winner of major European competitions, is still barred by the local association after refusing to pay them a registration fee for his International Judo Federation-recognised black-belt.
Players are vying for places at the inaugural East Asian Games in Shanghai in May.
The association announced a new rule last year which meant players must compete in at least three trials to qualify for the selection the following year, but Yu is studying for a sports degree in Taiwan and has been forced to miss several of the four-times-a-year selection trials.
The problem for Yu, who fights at 52 kilograms, has been accentuated by the decision of rival Chan Mei-ling to step up from 48 kgs.
Although Chan fought at 48 kgs all last year, she effectively qualified for this year's 52 kgs berth by switching to that weight at the three out of four trials when Yu was absent.