The World Championships began in Doha ©Getty Images

Russian gymnasts made a promising start to the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships as they finished the opening day of men's qualification in top spot in the team and individual standings in Doha.

The Russian team ended the first day of competition at the Aspire Dome on a score of 258.402, a comfortable lead over the rest of the field.

The Netherlands, featuring high bar star Epke Zonderland, were the next best side having scored 245.633 across the six apparatus.

Switzerland rounded out the top three on 245.186.

Today's action saw the first five subdivisions tackle the apparatus.

The qualification phase in the men's event will conclude tomorrow with the second set of subdivisions, including Japan, whose hopes will once again rest on star athlete Kōhei Uchimura.

Nikita Nagornyy has taken the lead in the individual all-around ©Getty Images
Nikita Nagornyy has taken the lead in the individual all-around ©Getty Images

Reigning Olympic champion Uchimura, dubbed "King Kōhei", is only competing in the team event in Qatar after withdrawing from the all-around competition.

In the individual all-round standings, Russia occupy the top three places at the halfway stage of qualification.

Nikita Nagornyy produced a superb display to take the early lead on 87.098 points.

Artur Dalaloyan is second, nearly three points adrift, while David Belyavskiy is third on 83.332.

The top 24 gymnasts at the end of the qualification phase will progress to the final next Wednesday (October 31).

The top eight performers in each of the six disciplines will book their place in the apparatus final.

The team final is scheduled to take place on Monday (October 29).