The field features more than a dozen world champions including 2021 gold medallist Miquel Mane of Spain, still a teenager, who won his first major title aged only 18 last year in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Turkey’s Ayşe Begüm Onbaşı has only just turned 20 after winning the women’s individual gold last year.

Bulgaria’s world trio champions Antonio Papazov, Darina Pashova, and Tihomir Barotev are also expected to compete in what they have announced will be their final championships before retiring.

Competition at the Multiusos de Guimaraes arena represents the second time in four years that the World Championships have been held in Guimares, which hosted the 2018 edition.

"Guimaraes is a place where aerobic gymnastics has basked in glory," said International Gymnastics Federation President Morinari Watanabe.

"Four years ago, this city hosted a wonderful World Championships, and this year we are delighted to see new faces and familiar challengers coming together once again to compete in this beautiful place."

Qualification begins today and continues into Friday (June 17) before the first medals are decided later in the day and on Saturday (June 18).

Gold medals will be at stake in individual competitions for men and women, mixed pairs, trip group, step and aerobic dance where the South Koreans are again expected to be strong.

They missed last year’s World Championships but the dance quad is expected to feature Ryu Jusun and Kin Hamjin, both members of the 2017 World Games gold medal winning squad.

Azerbaijan’s Madina Mustafayeva and Aykhan Ahmadli, who helped their nation win a historic gold in aerobic dance in 2021, are also expected to provide a strong challenge.

Romania group gold medallists Daniel Tavoc, Mihai Alin Popa and Gabriel Bocser are also expected to be strong contenders.

This will be the last competition before the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama where aerobic gymnastics competition is set to begin on July 7.