VIII World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung (20 photos)

Approximately 5,000 athletes from 90 countries participated in the "World Games", which took place from 16 to 26 July in the city of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Athletes competed in 31 sport, not included in the Olympic program, such as, for example, korfball and tug of war. Games, lasting 11 days, held every four years, one year after the Olympics.




Fireworks over stadium Maine during the opening ceremony of the World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, July 16. (REUTERS / Stringer)



Performance of students in the main stadium during the opening ceremony of the World Games on July 16th. (SAM YEH / AFP / Getty Images)



Taiwanese appear in the main stadium during the opening ceremony of the World Games on July 16th. (SAM YEH / AFP / Getty Images)



American Sarah Sayaseyn leader in high-speed races on roller skates at the World Games in Kaohsiung on 18 July. (SAM YEH / AFP / Getty Images)



German gymnasts in the group competition in acrobatic gymnastics at the World Games in Kaohsiung on 21 July. (SAM YEH / AFP / Getty Images)



Japanese Asano Mattsura (right) fights against Estonia's Epp Mahe sumo match at the World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung on 18 July. (SAM YEH / AFP / Getty Images)



Russia's Evgeniya Kanaeva during competitions in rhythmic gymnastics at the World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung July 17. (SAM YEH / AFP / Getty Images)



Bellini Italian Luca fights for the ball in a game against the Spanish national team during the qualifying match for canoe polo at the World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung July 17. (REUTERS / Nicky Loh)



American Eimi Kurita (left) fights with Glyn Tamara from New Zealand during a fight in karate at the World Games in Kaohsiung July 25th. (SAM YEH / AFP / Getty Images)



Lin Fang Chinese woman during a performance in Wushu World Games in Kaohsiung on 24 July. (SAM YEH / AFP / Getty Images)



Wei-Bin Chua from Taiwan to compete in martial arts at the World Games in Kaohsiung on 24 July. (SAM YEH / AFP / Getty Images)



Watching sumo competition at the World Games in Kaohsiung on 18 July. (SAM YEH / AFP / Getty Images)



(Left to right) Huang Chen-ching of Taiwan, Boo Chansun from South Korea and Japan Koji Godot during the competition in bodybuilding in the weight category of 75 kg at the World Games in Gonsyun July 19th. (SAM YEH / AFP / Getty Images)



The Swedish team is competing with a team from the UK during the competitions in tug of war for the team total weight not exceeding 640 kg at the World Games in Kaohsiung July 19th. (SAM YEH / AFP / Getty Images)



Briton Nicholas Davies competitions among men water skiing barefoot at the World Games in Kaohsiung on July 22. (SAM YEH / AFP / Getty Images)



Adin Daneker US falls off the board during the competition of male water skiing barefoot at the World Games in Kaohsiung on July 23. (SAM YEH / AFP / Getty Images)



Japanese Miku Asai in the competition in women's skating on the board behind a boat at the World Games in Kaohsiung on July 22. (SAM YEH / AFP / Getty Images)



Australian Caitlin Blouv in the competition in women's skating on the board behind a boat at the World Games in Kaohsiung on July 22. (SAM YEH / AFP / Getty Images)



Estonian Natalia Nazarenko-Kiivikas to compete in bodybuilding fitness among women at the World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung on 18 July. (REUTERS / Nicky Loh)