Kobe is set to host the World University Karate Championships ©FISU

Athletes competing at the World University Karate Championships will be hoping to emulate the success of some of the sport's star names which have participated at previous editions when the event gets underway in Kobe tomorrow.

A total of 239 karatekas have entered the Championships in the Japanese city, which run through to Sunday (July 22).

The number represents a decrease from the 300 who took part at the 2016 event in the Portugese city Braga.

Preliminary rounds across all kata and kumite disciplines are due to be held in Kobe from tomorrow to Saturday (July 21) before all medal matches take place on the concluding day.

It mirrors the setup used by the World Karate Federation for their major competitions.

A total of 239 karatekas have entered the Championships in the Japanese city ©FISU
A total of 239 karatekas have entered the Championships in the Japanese city ©FISU

Japan, the birthplace of karate, will be aiming to replicate their dominance of the 2016 competition, where they topped the standings with five gold medals.

Top karatekas such as Egypt’s Giana Lotfy, France’s Alizee Agier, Steven Dacosta and Emilie Thouy and Spain’s Matias Gomez and Rocio Sanchez - all of whom have forged successful careers in the sport - were among the winners in Braga.

Action will be held at the Kobe Central Gymnasium in the capital city of the Hyōgo Prefecture.