Manila, Sept. 14 -- The World Athletics Championships kicked off at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday, marking the first time the biennial competition is held in the Japanese capital in 34 years since 1991.

It is the third time Japan is hosting the World Athletics Championships, following the 2007 championships in Osaka.

More than 2,000 athletes from some 200 countries and regions are expected to compete in the 2025 championships, which comprise 49 events over nine days through Sept. 21.

In the men's 35-kilometer race walk on Saturday, Japan's Hayato Katsuki took the bronze medal with a time of 2 hours, 29 minutes and 16 seconds.

This was the first medal obtained by a Japanese athlete in the ongoing championships. The ra...