A total of 874 athletes from 59 countries are registered to take part in the event, which begins today.

That is a Premier League record, just two months before the World Championships in Bremen, Germany.

Many of the world's best karateka are in Hanau as they prepare for the World Championships.

Seven world champions and 15 former world and European champions are among them.

The most contested categories will be Kata individual male, with 112 athletes from 32 nations, and kumite male under 84kg, with 106 fighters from 36 nations.

Competition in Hanau ends tomorrow.