Wang Zongyuan led a Chinese one-two finish in the men’s 1m springboard ahead of defending champion Peng Jianfeng at Nambu International Aquatics Centre.

Wang managed 429.40 points, while Peng posted 410.80.

Home favourite Woo Ha-ram was the third best qualifier for the final, due to take place on Sunday (July 14), with 396.10 points

In the women's 1m springboard preliminaries, China’s Chen Yiwen came out on top with 287.95 points.

Team mate Chang Yani finished second with 257.65 points and Russia’s Kristina Ilinykh was third with 245.50.

The final is scheduled for tomorrow.

Preliminaries for the women's solo technical and duet technical events in artistic swimming also began today at Yeomju Gymnasium.

Russia’s Svetlana Kolesnichenko prevailed in the solo technical preliminaries, scoring 94.1126 points.

Spain’s Ona Carbonell finished second with 91.8259 points, followed by Japan’s Yukiko Inui with 91.7284.

Kolesnichenko, the reigning champion in both events, teamed up with Svetlana Romashina to finish first in the duet technical preliminaries with 95.9501 points.

China’s Huang Xuechen and Sun Wenyan finished second with 93.4148 points, while Ukraine’s Marta Fiedina and Anastasiya Savchuk came third with 92.0610.

The finals for the solo technical and duet technical events are set for tomorrow and Sunday, respectively.

Today's action was followed by the Opening Ceremony.

South Korea's President Moon Jae-in declared open the two-week event. 

He was stood alongside International Swimming Federation (FINA) head Julio Maglione, who wished participants "the best luck" and thanked the 194 national federations – a record in the history of the World Championships – for sending their best representatives to the "dynamic city".

"The great venues here in Gwangju will be the privileged scenario for thrilling results, and will show to the world the popularity and universality of our aquatic sports," Maglione said.

"The set-up is ready for our aquatic athletes to compete in the spirit of FINA – excellence, friendship, respect and fair play. 

"Gwangju will be an excellent host of FINA’s greatest aquatic festival.

"Thousands of people on site and millions of TV viewers and digital users around the world will witness an outstanding competition."

The highlight of the Opening Ceremony was the parade of the participating countries. 

The 90-minute show also included traditional Korean music and acrobatic choreography, mixing light and water. 

South Korea's anthem was interpreted by a children's choir, while both the national and FINA's flag were brought on stage by some of the country's former sport stars. 

A performance by K-pop music band Momoland brought proceedings to a close.

Over 16 days, until July 28, around 2,500 athletes will compete in six aquatic disciplines and fight for medals in 76 events.