TOKYO – The World Athletics Championships opened Saturday at the Japan National Stadium, returning to the Japanese capital for the first time in 34 years since 1991.

This marks the third time Japan has hosted the biennial event, after Osaka in 2007. More than 2,000 athletes from around 200 countries and regions are competing across 49 events through September 21.

Japan bagged its first medal on opening day as Hayato Katsuki won bronze in the men’s 35-kilometer race walk with a time of 2 hours, 29 minutes, and 16 seconds. The event was won by Canadian athlete Evan Dunfee.

A planned demonstration flight by the Air Self-Defense Force’s Blue Impulse aerobatic team was canceled due to bad weather, with no plans to reschedule. (Jiji Press via PNA)