The Paris Open got underway with men's and women's individual and team eliminations ©Xavier Servolle/WKF

"Photo_Gallery"

The women's individual kata event got the 2016 Karate1 Premier League season up and running ©Xavier Servolle/WKF

The French team were out in force in front of their home crowd today ©Xavier Servolle/WKF

The men's kata event attracted 134 entries from 42 nations ©Xavier Servolle/WKF

Italy's Sara Battaglia was in good form as she did enough for women's kata bronze ©Xavier Servolle/WKF

Spaniard Damian Quintero pushed world champion Ryo Kiyuna all the way before succumbing to a 3-2 semi-final defeat ©Xavier Servolle/WKF

Reigning women's kata world champion Kiyou Shimizu didn't disappoint as she reached the final with a 100 per cent record ©Xavier Servolle/WKF

France reached the final of the women's team kata event to the delight of the home crowd ©FFKDA/Denis Boulanger

France's men will also battle for gold after impressing in the elimination rounds ©FFKDA/Denis Boulanger

There was delight for some and agony for others on a packed opening day at the Paris Open ©Xavier Servolle/WKF