The Championships have attracted athletes from a record 85 countries with the weigh-in and registration of competitors having taken place today.

For the first time in the annual competition’s history, men’s physique action will feature on the official programme.

The discipline is due to take centre stage on Sunday (November 5) following the regular bodybuilding events at under 90 kilograms, under 100kg, over 100kg and overall.

Tomorrow, there will be competition in five categories of classic bodybuilding, two categories of games classic bodybuilding, and regular bodybuilding at under 65kg, under 70kg, under 75kg and under 80kg.

Among the names to look out for at the Championships is Iran’s Reza Rezaei, the winner in the under 100kg category at last week’s Asian Amateur Championships in Hong Kong.

Rezaei posted the best scores in the super final to win an Elite Pro Card for 2018 and ensure the spotlight will be on him here.

Athletes and delegates attending the Championships can receive live updates and important information through a newly-launched Telegram app.

Separate World Championships are organised for men, women, children, juniors and masters on an annual basis in different locations.

Events are open to IFBB-affiliated National Federations and participation of athletes is limited to A and B-teams, which are selected following qualifying competitions in each country.

These Championships provide the most number of points towards the IFBB Elite World Rankings.

The IFBB Congress was held here today with Spanish city Marbella confirmed as the host of the 2018 World Bodybuilding Championships.

The Congress analysed different projects and suggestions about rules and organising matters.

Proceedings started with a welcome to the IFBB’s newly-affiliated members - American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Cameroon, Cook Islands, Fiji, Grenada, Liechtenstein and Monaco.