MIE, Japan, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The 29th rhythmic gymnastics world championships kicked off in Japan's Mie Prefecture on Monday, attracting top gymnasts from more than 50 countries and regions.

    The tournament is the first after new rules and apparatus were introduced in rhythmic gymnastics after the Beijing Olympics last year and would provide a great opportunity for gymnasts to test how they adapt to the new rules.

Russia's Olga Kapranova performs with a hoop during the first round qualifications at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships 2009 in Mie prefecture, Japan, on September 7, 2009. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai) Photo Gallery>>>

    Among individual gymnasts were 2008 Olympic all-around and 2009World Games Champion Evgenia Kanaeva of Russia and her compatriot Olga Kappranova, 2007 World Champion on Hoop and Clubs. They are expected to face tough challenge from Anna Bessonova, 2007 all-around world champion of Ukraine, as well as Melitina Staniouta of Belarus, who collected many silver and bronze medals at 2009 World Cup Series.

    In the group competition, a traditionally strong team and Beijing Olympic champion Russia will take up challenge from Belarus, which stood third in Beijing, and other contenders such as Italy, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Ukraine, which are among the top 10 of the FIG World Ranking Lists.

China's Ding Yidan performs with a hoop during the first round qualifications at Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships 2009 in Mie prefecture, Japan, on September 7, 2009. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai) Photo Gallery>>>

    China won a historic silver medal at the all-around group final at last year's Beijing Olympics and added a World Cup silver early this year in Budapest on 3 Ropes and 2 Ribbons.

    "Our goal is to take the championships as an opportunity to practise under the new rules and prepare for the London Olympics, as our team has some adjustment in the lineup and some of the gymnasts never compete in world arena," said coach Bai Mei.

    The championships will run through Sept. 11.

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