This follows the success of a Youth Camp last week in Umag, Croatia, at which more than 1,100 young athletes gathered for a mixture of training and competition.

“The impressive increment of participants in the 2016 edition of the WKF Youth Camp and Youth Cup is further evidence that karate and youth go hand-in-hand,” said WKF President Antonio Espinós. 

“Over the years we have implemented a series of actions to reaffirm karate’s dominating position at early ages, and the remarkable impact of our sport among youngsters was clearly stated in the successful event of this past week."

Nearly 500 youngsters under the age of 14 participated in a new competition which was billed as one of the highlights of the Camp.

New protective gear for the chest and WKF face-masks were mandatory to maximise safety for the young stars.

This new regulation "showcases the WKF’s intention to further expand the sport among youngsters while safeguarding the well-being of the future stars of the discipline", the governing body claims. 

The claim that two thirds of worldwide practitioners are under 14 is based on an estimation rather than a detailed study.

But Espinós claims that they are attracted by an "unique combination of values, magnificence and overall athleticism". 

He added: “When children go to a dojo to learn karate, they do not only get to practice a sport modality that can drastically improve their physical condition through notable progress in their flexibility, resistance and coordination.

"They also learn honour, courage and self-control.

"They may succeed in the sport or not, but taking Karate will be a life-changing moment for all of them."

This comes as karate seeks to be added to the Olympic programme at Tokyo 2020.

It is one of five sports recommended by Japanese organisers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board ahead of a final decision at next month's IOC Session in Rio de Janeiro.

Baseball and softball, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing are also being considered.