Scheduled to take place from tomorrow until Sunday (May 8), the 51st edition of the Championships is due to feature some of karate's biggest stars.

Among those expected to shine at the Montpellier Arena is Azerbaijan’s Rafael Aghayev, who will be looking to add to his European tally of eight gold medals when he competes in the men's under 75kg kumite competition. 

Turkey's Enes Erkan, last year’s silver medallist in the men's kumite over 84kg category, will try to clinch his third European gold medal, while Spain’s Damian Quintero is vying to reach the podium in men's kata for the sixth consecutive time.

In the women's categories, Turkey’s Serap Ozcelik will be one of the names to follow in her quest for a fourth gold medal in the kumite under 50kg.

Women's kata competitor Sandra Sanchez will also be among the karatekas aiming to catch the eye, as will Austrians Bettina Plank and Alisa Buchinger in the women’s kumite under 50kg and women’s kumite under 68 kg respectively, and Italy’s Sara Cardin in the women’s kumite under 55kg.

The host nation’s hopes will rest on Lucie Ignace and Emilie Thouy, the defending European champions in the women’s kumite under 61kg and women’s kumite under 55kg respectively. 

Last year’s women’s kumite under 50kg runner-up, Alexandra Recchia, and 2015 bronze medallist in the men’s kata, Vu Duc Minh Dack, are also looking to impress on home turf.

The finals of the European Championships will be open to a worldwide audience with fans able to watch the action either live on television or through the World Karate Federation’s YouTube channel here.

Medal matches are scheduled to take place on Saturday (May 7) and Sunday, and will be televised in 35 nations.