SOFIA, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- The 36th FIG rhythmic gymnastics world championship kicked off here in the Arena Armeec Hall on Monday.

During the seven-day event, more than 350 athletes from 61 countries and regions, including China, will perform for a total of nine events in the individual and group competitions.

In addition to the medals, the competition will be the first for any FIG discipline to allow gymnasts to qualify directly to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, as the medal-winning nations in the group all-around competition will earn automatic berths. Other nations will have additional chances to qualify at competitions in 2019 and 2020.

The rhythmic gymnastics world championships is held annually with the exception of Olympic years and is taking place for the first time in the Bulgarian capital, having been staged twice in the seaside city of Varna in 1969 and 1987 respectively.