Karatekas will have the chance to book their spot for the Pan American Games at the Pan American Adult Karate Championship, scheduled to start on Thursday (March 19) and conclude on Saturday (March 21), in Toronto, which follows a qualifying event the day before (March 18).

Elsewhere, the EKF Senior Championship will prove pivotal in qualifying for the inaugural European Games in Baku and the competitions is due to run from Thursday until Sunday (March 22) in Istanbul.

The Pan American Adult Karate Championship will see 227 athletes from 22 countries battle it out for 18 continental titles, while 495 karatekas from 47 countries will compete in Turkey.

Karate is continuing its drive for Olympic inclusion at Tokyo 2020 ©WKF

The announcement means it will not just be medals that are on offer at both events as athletes bid to claim a berth at the eagerly-anticipated Games in Baku and Toronto. 

At the first-ever European Games, close to 100 athletes are expected to compete in the karate competition as the sport continues its drive to be included on the Olympic programme for Tokyo 2020.

The World Karate Federation are hoping to showcase their sport on the international support in order to further their chances of being added to the Olympics, and Continental Games provide the perfect platform, particularly in the case of the Pan American Games, which is beaten only in size by the Olympics and the Asian Games.

But karate faces stiff competition from baseball-softball and squash to gain inclusion, with the International Olympic Committee set to make a decision on any additional sports at its Session on the eve of next year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. 

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