Zheng Siwei (R)/Huang Yaqiong of China pose on the podium for the mixed doubles at the 2022 BWF World Tour Finals in Bangkok, Thailand on Dec. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

Hangzhou, host city of the 19th Asian Games, is once again in limelight of world sports.

HANGZHOU, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 2023 BWF World Tour Finals and the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship kicked off in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province on Wednesday, with both tournaments running through Sunday.

As the badminton's season-ending tournament, the BWF World Tour Finals features top eight players/pairs from this season in each of the five categories in the BWF world rankings - men's and women's singles and men's, women's, and mixed doubles. They are divided into two groups, and the top two players/pairs will advance to the semifinals.

Chen Qingchen (R)/Jia Yifan of China celebrate scoring during the women's doubles final against Benyapa Aimsaard/Nuntakarn Aimsaard of Thailand at the 2022 BWF World Tour Finals. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

Four of the five defending champions - Viktor Axelsen (men's singles), Liu Yuchen/Ou Xuanyi (men's doubles), Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan (women's doubles), and Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong (mixed doubles) - are present in Hangzhou.

The FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship features six top-level clubs in two pools. The competition returns to China after four years since Shaoxing, Zhejiang hosted the 2018 and 2019 editions.

Vakifbank Istanbul celebrate during the award ceremony at the FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship in Shaoxing, east China's Zhejiang province on Dec. 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi) 

China's Tianjin Bohai Bank women's volleyball club will be joined by Türkiye's Istanbul rivals, Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul and VakifBank Spor Kulubu, Brazil's Gerdau Minas of Belo Horizonte and Dentil Praia Clube of Uberlandia, as well as Vietnamese newcomers Sport Center I Women's Club of Hanoi.

After three days of preliminary matches, the top two sides in each pool will advance to the semifinals.

This photo taken on Oct. 8, 2023 shows a view of the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua/Xia Yifang)