The 2018 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships officially begun today with a spectacular Opening Ceremony in Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat ©IWF

"Photo_Gallery"

All the competing countries were represented in the Parade of Nations at the Ashgabat Olympic Complex's Main Indoor Arena ©IWF
All the competing countries were represented in the Parade of Nations at the Ashgabat Olympic Complex's Main Indoor Arena ©IWF
IWF President Tamás Aján enjoyed the show sat alongside Turkmenistan's Minister of Sport and Youth Policy, Dayanch Gulgeldiyew ©IWF
IWF President Tamás Aján enjoyed the show sat alongside Turkmenistan's Minister of Sport and Youth Policy, Dayanch Gulgeldiyew ©IWF
Turkmenistan's national anthem was sung as part of proceedings ©IWF
Turkmenistan's national anthem was sung as part of proceedings ©IWF
The Great Silk Road Turkmenistan was also commemorated ©IWF
The Great Silk Road Turkmenistan was also commemorated ©IWF
The Opening Ceremony celebrated Turkmen culture ©IWF
The Opening Ceremony celebrated Turkmen culture ©IWF
Participants sought to express the best of what the country has to offer ©IWF
Participants sought to express the best of what the country has to offer ©IWF
Akhan, which was bred at Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow’s horse complex and reportedly entered the Guinness Book of Records in June, made an appearance ©IWF
Akhan, which was bred at Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow’s horse complex and reportedly entered the Guinness Book of Records in June, made an appearance ©IWF
Gulgeldiyew delivered a speech on behalf of Berdimuhamedow before declaring open the 2018 IWF World Championships ©IWF
Gulgeldiyew delivered a speech on behalf of Berdimuhamedow before declaring open the 2018 IWF World Championships ©IWF
Aján also addressed the crowd, hailing the Championships as the start of a new chapter for the sport ©IWF
Aján also addressed the crowd, hailing the Championships as the start of a new chapter for the sport ©IWF