CONI confirmed its karate, judo and wrestling teams at a reception in Rome ©CONI

A karate team of five is set to represent Italy at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, as confirmed by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) at a reception in Rome.

Viviana Bottaro and Mattia Busato are set to compete in the women's and men's kata; Silvia Semeraro in the women's under-61-kilogram kumite, Angelo Crescenzo in the men's under-67kg and Luigi Busà in the men's under-75kg.

Only two nations are set to have more karateka at the Games - hosts Japan and Turkey - while Kazakhstan and Egypt will also have five athletes.

At the reception at the CONI Hall of Honour, the Italian Federation of Judo, Karate and Martial Arts (FIJLKAM) were present as well as the CONI President Giovanni Malagò.

"FIJLKAM is a cohesive family, albeit in the difference of the individual sports that compose it," said Malagò at a reception.

"Union that can being great results, which are what I expect, because we have to do much better than what we did in Rio [2016].

"I put you under pressure, do as you wish, distribute them as you wish, but bring home many medals.

"I have followed you throughout the qualification process, I know how many difficulties and how many sacrifices you have faced and how many we will face also in Tokyo also due to COVID, but I know that you can do a lot and that are able to successfully overcome further difficulties."

Two-time world champion Luigi Busà is among the team of five set to compete for Italy in karate ©Getty Images
Two-time world champion Luigi Busà is among the team of five set to compete for Italy in karate ©Getty Images

Karate is making its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020.

Also at the reception were the judo and wrestling teams for Italy - with eight judokas and two wrestlers making the Olympic squad.

Olympic men's under-73kg champion Fabio Basile and Olympic silver medallist in the women's under-52kg Odette Giuffrida will be major contenders for the medals at Tokyo 2020 in their respective categories, alongside World number one in the men's under-66kg Manuel Lombardo.

Francesca Milani in the women's under-48kg, Christian Parlati in the men's under-81kg, Maria Centracchio in the women's under-63kg, Alice Bellandi in the women's under-70kg and Nicholas Mungai in the men's under-90kg; also make the squad.

Italy are also set to compete in the judo team competition for the first time at the Olympics.

Rio 2016 bronze medallist Frank Chamizo is set to represent Italy in freestyle wrestling in the men's under-74kg, and will be joined by Abraham Conyedo, who is due to compete in the men's under-97kg.