Veteran martial arts instructor Jason Baltov believes a seven-strong Illawarra contingent will make a big impact when the International Full Contact Kyokushin Karate Championships begin in Tokyo on Saturday.

The event attracts hundreds of fighters from all over the world who compete in the full contact form of karate.

Practitioners of the discipline include former long-reigning UFC welterweight champion Georges St Pierre, MMA legend Bas Ruten and K-1 kickboxing champion Francisco Filho.

It will be the region's largest Kyokushin karate contingent to tackle an international championships

. Baltov is confident the Illawarra can punch above it's weight against what's sure to be top international competition.

"They've been training really hard six days a week in preparation," Baltov said.

"I'm confident all seven of our fighters from the Illawarra have the ability to win their individual categories."

The team's youthful contingent will be made up of Lucas Markovski, aged 9, and Unanderra siblings Emily, 9, and Daniel Strehaljuk, 10, who've been training in the discipline the past four years.

Former junior Australian champion Zayn Timev will compete in the 11 years division, while Jamie Jovanovski will contest the under 12s.

"Children start competing at quite a young age," Baltov said.

"Although the young fighters are very tough, each young competitor is padded up for their safety while adult fighters compete without protection."

In the adult divisions, 2013 Australian heavyweight Kyokushin champion Viktor Timev will fight in the 35-39 years division, while Shellharbour's 20-year martial arts veteran Shane Cunliffe, 44, will fight in the 39-45 years division.