The event had been due to take place as part of the opening leg of the 2020 International Festival of Extreme Sports (FISE) World Series next month.

In a statement, FISE confirmed the competition, slated for April 3 to 5, would be rescheduled because of the outbreak of COVID-19.

Other events set to be held at the FISE World Series in Hiroshima included the International Cycling Union's BMX Freestyle Park and Flatland World Cups, a World Skate Roller Freestyle World Cup and a World Dance Sport Federation World Open Series Breaking.

FISE said the decision to reschedule the event to a later date, which has not yet been confirmed, was made "in consultation with the International Federations involved".

"Our primary concern is always the safety and well-being of the athletes, fans and partners who are involved in our events and given the situation as it is today, we feel postponement of the event is the best option," FISE added.

The decision, while inevitable given international concern over the virus, delays FIG holding its inaugural World Championships in parkour.

The FIG has been repeatedly accused of usurping the governance of the sport, which it is set to propose for inclusion at Paris 2024.

The FIG voted to officially include parkour as a new gymnastics discipline at its Congress in December 2018, a decision described by rival organisation Parkour Earth as "lacking credibility, legitimacy and authenticity" and having "no validity whatsoever".

Dozens of events, including World Championships and Olympic qualifiers, have been postponed or cancelled because of the virus.

According to latest figures, 5,798 people have died from COVID-19, while over 154,000 have been infected worldwide.