The World Karate Federation (WKF) have expressed their confidence the Championships will prove a success, with the event in the Canary Islands set to break the previous participation record.

It will surpass the 1,354 karatekas from 86 countries, who attended the 2015 Championships in Indonesia.

The WKF claim the growth shows the sport’s appeal to young people, with the governing body’s President Antonio Espinós hailing the progress.

Espinós also praised the local Organising Committee and Jose Francisco Perez, a karateka and director of sports in the Canary Islands.

“We are pleased that over 5,000 people will be coming to Tenerife this week to enjoy the city and the Canary Islands,” Espinós said.

“I hope that everyone going to the sports hall this week will appraise the many values of our sport.

“Someone who is a karateka will always be a karateka.

“The fact that Jose Francisco Perez holds this important position highlights the impressive social implementation of karate.

“Karate is a sport that is present in all stages of society and that is why it has reached such high levels of relevance."

Competition is set to take place until Sunday (October 29), as the tenth edition of the Championships is celebrated by the WKF.

Japan are expected to feature strongly having topped the medals table in 2015, while Turkey and Egypt are likely to enjoy medal success.

It is hoped the Championships will showcase the talents who will compete for medals at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

Finals and selected bronze medal matches at the upcoming World Cadet, Junior and Under-21 Championships will be streamed live on the Olympic Channel and Karateworld.tv,