NANNING, China, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- The 45th World Artistic Gymnastics Championships opened here on Friday with the participation of a record 619 athletes from 70 delegations.

Stars to watch are Simone Biles and Kyla Ross, both from the United States, Fabian Hambuechen of Germany, Kohei Uchimura of Japan and China's Yao Jinnan.

The championships will conclude on Oct. 12.