Junior athletes in Tbilisi for Weightlifting World Championships

Nearly 700 young athletes from across the world are coming to Georgia's capital Tbilisi this weekend to participate in the Junior Weightlifting World Championships.

Some of the top international competitors from 60 countries will test their skills and compete for honours over eight days of action at the competition, which is being hosted in Georgia for the first time.

The Championships could even feature athletes who are taking part in the upcoming Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil, if the nations pick them to participate in the contest.

Georgian weightlifters have been extensively training for the occasion over the recent days. Photo from the Georgian Weightlifting Federation.

Featuring athletes of all weight categories from 48kg to 105+kg, the Tbilisi competition promised to host lots of entertainment for guests at the New Palace of Gymnastics in Georgia's capital.

Georgia will be represented at the Championships by a team of 12 athletes including eight male and four female contestants.

They will compete in separate sections for men and women at the event.

Members of the Georgian team are among nearly 700 athletes from across the world competing this weekend. Photo from the Georgian Weightlifting Federation.

As well as the actual sporting competitions, visitors will also get to enjoy cultural such as tours of local cuisine and folklore.

The Junior Weightlifting World Championships is being organised in Tbilisi by the Georgian Weightlifting Federation.

The organisation was awarded the title of the Best Georgian Sports Federation in nation-wide sport awards last year.