All focus will be on home favourite and world bronze medallist Asiman Gurbanli, who is will be competing in the men’s kumite over-84 kilograms category.

"The Karate 1-Premier League Baku is a big step for Azerbaijani Karate and a great motivator for future generations," said Gurbanli.

"My goal is to show the best possible result at the tournament in Baku.

"Azerbaijan is a country very much capable of organizing high-level competitions.

"Examples of this include the 1st European Games and the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games, which both included karate competitions.

"I believe that the Karate 1 Premier League tournament in Baku will be held at a high level like other international competitions here."

A total of 350 athletes from 58 countries have registered for the event.

Italy has the highest representation in Baku with 23 athletes, followed by Japan with 21, and Turkey with 20 athletes.

Egyptian athletes earned five titles in the last edition in Rabat.

Other athletes who will be in spotlight in Azerbaijan include former kumite world champion Serap Ozcelik Arapoglu of Turkey, Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Anzhelika Terliuga of Ukraine and Arapoglu’s compatriots Merve Coban and Feryal Abdelaziz, who won a bronze and gold in the women’s kumite 61kg and over-61kg categories respectively, in Tokyo last year.  

Among men, multiple world champions Gogita Arkania of Georgia and Zabihollah Poursheib of Iran will be hoping to finish on the podium.