Serap Ozcelik, right, will be among the field in Spain ©Getty Images

Around 1,400 athletes are registered to compete at the Karate 1-Series A event in Spanish city Guadalajara, a figure which will break the participation record for any first-class event in the sport.

On average, 900 competitors from 64 countries competed at Series A events last year, with the World Senior Championships attracting 1,049.

Eighty-two nations are set to be represented over three days in the record breaking field at the Palacio Multiusos de Guadalajara.

Seven World Karate Federation (WKF) number ones will be among them, including Turkey's Serap Ozcelik at under-50 kilograms kumite.

Damian Quintero will lead the home Spanish charge in kata competition ©Getty Images
Damian Quintero will lead the home Spanish charge in kata competition ©Getty Images

Four reigning world champions are also registered including kata's Kiyou Shimizu of Japan and Austria’s Alisa Buchinger in the under-68kg kumite.

Rafael Aghayev, Azerbaijan's five-time world champion at under-75kg, will be another looking to impress alongside Brazil's Douglas Brose, who is looking to a win a fourth under-60kg medal in a row at major international tournaments.

Spain's home interest will be led by kata star Damian Quintero.

The Series A was established by the WKF to complement the top level Premier League circuit.

It provides karatekas around the world with more competitive opportunities to shine at the highest level and to get points for the WKF rankings.