Launceston will stage the Australian Karate Federation national championships for the first time on Friday.
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But none of the city's hosts will fight at the Silverdome in the landmark three-day tournament into the weekend.
Australian Karate Federation Tasmania president Frank Hussey explained why there was a local no-show.
"There is no club in Launceston itself per se," he said. "Sheffield and that area we have a couple of clubs, but none in Launceston. It's a bit of an anomaly with our coverage in the state."
That leaves Launceston competitors only eligible to contest the annual Australian open championships for allcomers that also extends to regular international entries.
Hussey, who has six decades of involvement in the sport, said different branches of karate are ruled ineligible under the banner of the Australian Karate Federation-sanctioned tournament.
"The reason there are no Launceston athletes competing is because there is no club that is a part of the Australian Karate Federation," Hussey said.
"I'd imagine there is some very competent athletes in some of the clubs there.
"But just sometimes these clubs have a very strict focus on traditional karate as opposed to sport karate."
For some of the 600 contingent, Launceston is a part of the preparation towards its 2020 Tokyo Olympics debut.
A range of age and weight divisions will compete in kumite or sparring and kata forms of karate in pursuit of the exciting bunkai - or application of techniques - in the medal rounds of team kata.
"The national championships held in Tasmania gives our members a chance to compete on a national level where it is difficult to go to the mainland for travel and accommodation," he said.
"We do have a group of Tasmanian competitors that have been very successful, going to the nationals and international tournaments like the Oceanias in New Zealand last year where Tasmania were in the medals.
"So it's all part of a process and it's really important."
Hussey expects - despite the absence this year from the Launceston karate fraternity - numbers from Tasmania to be at an all-time high in a championship that has run for more than three decades.
He stressed competitors, coaches and officials are subsided to travel each year "as much as we can" to maximise the state participation.
"We have been gradually able to increase our number and calibre in national and international events, so it has been working," Hussey said.
Eyes will be focused on Adam Nankivell, who incredibly is competing at his 10th national championships since graduating from cadets towards the seniors.
Finlay Rossiter-Hill, 18, will be preparing for his fourth nationals after last year winning a bronze medal in the Oceania international karate championships.