Around 285 athletes from 34 countries have entered the event in the Portuguese city, which starts tomorrow and concludes on Sunday (April 3).

History-making Japanese gymnast Mizuki Saito is among the competitors hoping to defend the titles they clinched at the 2016 edition of the Championships in Incheon.

Saito became the first athlete from Japan to win a world title in the discipline when he topped the individual men's podium in the South Korean city.

He will be joined in Guimarães by the likes of defending mixed pairs champions Michela Castoldi and Davide Donati of Italy.

"In this city which is the craddle of Portugal, we hope to see aerobic gymnastics reach a new level," said Watanabe. 

"I would like to thank the Portuguese Gymnastics Federation for participating in the development of this young discipline through hosting these World Championships."

João Paulo Rocha, the head of the Organising Committee, hailed the opportunity to host a global major event in the sport.

"These World Championships are an opportunity for the Portuguese gymnastics community and the city of Guimarães to develop the discipline in the region and the country, to show the sporting improvements made in the last few years, and also to take additional steps, together with the local authorities, in the direction of environmental sustainability," he said.

Action is scheduled to take place at the Multiusos de Guimarães.

The event begins with qualification before two days of finals.