Marton Falusi, head of the Budapest 2023 Organising Committee, has revealed that 1,149 athletes from 103 nations had registered to participate at the event in the Hungarian capital.

The figure surpasses the previous record of 1,117 set in Madrid five years ago.

It is also a significant increase on the number that featured in Dubai in 2021, although that tournament was held under COVID-19 restrictions.

Hungary is staging the World Karate Federation’s (WKF) flagship event for the first time, with competition due to be held at the Papp László Budapest Sports Arena from tomorrow until Sunday (October 29).

"The World Championships are the pinnacle of our sport, the most anticipated event on our calendar, and the tournament that all the Karate family is excitedly looking forward to arriving every two years," said WKF President Antonio Espinós. 

"The wait is finally over, and our biggest event travels to Budapest for the event where all the karate dreams come true. 

"I am absolutely convinced that the greatness, values, and outstanding sporting spirit of our sport will be showcased at the tournament in Budapest. 

"Not only the competition will be held in a unique setting, the magnificent Papp László Budapest Sports Arena, where the Local Organising Committee of the Hungarian Karate Federation will do a tremendous job to provide never-before-seen ideal conditions for our sport. 

"Also, the event is posed to be a massive showcase of the popularity of our sport."

 Gábor Hárspataki, a bronze medallist in the men’s 75 kilograms category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, will lead the Hungarian challenge as they bid to deliver home success.

The team also features Yves Martial Tadissi, a silver medallist in the men’s 67kg division at the Linz 2016 World Championships and Birmingham 2022 World Games.

The biggest delegation comes from Croatia who have fielded 25 athletes, while France and Japan have entered 24 and 23 respectively.

Japan and Egypt are expected to be in the mix for titles again after finishing in the top two in Dubai two years ago.

Among the athletes determined to retain their titles include Ahlam Youssef of Egypt in women's under-55kg, Irina Zaretska of Azerbaijan in women's kumite under-68kg and Steven Dacosta of France in men's under-67kg.

A total of 20 Russian and Belarusian athletes are also set to take part under a neutral banner after the WKF agreed to lift the outright ban at the start of this month.

The decision has sparked anger with the Ukrainian Karate Federation which has filed a protest with the WKF over the admission of athletes from the two countries,