The FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup, AGF Trophy, officially started with an Opening Ceremony at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, March 6 to 9.
During the ceremony, the Minister of Youth and Sport Farid Gayibov, emphasized that the prestigious gymnastics competitions held annually in Azerbaijan and the remarkable achievements attained are a result of the attention and care provided by the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan and President of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation Mehriban Aliyeva, towards the development of this sport.
Following the speech, the World Cup was declared open, and the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was played.
Apart from host country Azerbaijan, gymnasts from Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, China, Hungary, India, Japan, AIN (Neutral Athletes), Kazakhstan, Latvia, Hong Kong, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkiye, Ukraine, the USA and Uzbekistan are competing in various events.
Representing Azerbaijan in the men's competitions are:
•    Nikita Simonov (Rings),
•    Ivan Tikhonov (Pommel Horse, Vault, Parallel Bars, Horizontal Bar),
•    Rasul Ahmadzadeh (Pommel Horse, Parallel Bars),
•    Mansum Safarov (Horizontal Bar, Floor Exercises),
•    Murad Agharzayev (Floor Exercises),
•    Ramin Damirov (Rings, Vault).
In the women's competition, Azerbaijan will be represented by Deniz Aliyeva, competing in Vault, Balance Beam, Uneven Bars and Floor Exercises.
At the end of the four-day competition, the traditional "AGF Trophy" will be awarded to the gymnasts who achieve the highest execution scores.