A Dundee karate club is expecting a record number of entrants for its annual competition after the city hosted the World Championships last year.
Kanzen Karate, which organised the 2018 WUKF World Karate Championships at Dundee Ice Arena, are expecting more than 400 competitors for their sixth Kanzen Cup.
Many of the entrants are returning to Dundee after attending last year’s World Championships.
More than 4,000 athletes, coaches, officials and spectators attended the 2018 event and Dundee and Angus Convention Bureau estimate it delivered a £9.8 million boost to the Tayside economy.
Kanzen Karate president Roy O’Kane said: “We are delighted that so many international teams are intending to come back to Dundee for our sixth Kanzen Cup.
“The feedback from the World Championships last year was excellent with so many people enjoying the event and what Dundee has to offer.
“We were clear before bidding for and hosting the 2018 WUKF World Championships that the event could provide a legacy of return of visitors for Karate and this interest is showing exactly that.
“The bid was certainly audacious but we are glad the event was such a success that people want to come back. ”
Mr O’Kane added: “We have had entries so far from Romania, Belgium, Egypt, Italy and more are coming in every day. We are working with partners across the City to ensure that the athletes have another great experience of Dundee and the surrounding area.
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“From a competitor perspective, it is a great opportunity for our own Scottish athletes.
“By us organising this event with a number of high-level international competitors attending, it means our own athletes do not need to travel so far to compete with the best.
“It’s very exciting for Karate and wider Dundee.”
Dundee city development convener councillor Lynne Short said Mr O’Kane and Kanzen Karate were “fantastic ambassadors” for Dundee.
She said: “We talk about Dundee’s cultural revolution but for a lot of people, sport is their culture.
“To see Dundee, and sport, highlighted this way is really good.”
