Japanese climbers dominated at the maiden Sports Climbing World Cup held in Navi Mumbai over the weekend, accounting for four of the six podium slots.
Japanese national Kokoro Fujii finished first in the men's bouldering category, while his compatriot Miho Nonaka bagged the top honours in women's bouldering.
This was the first time that the International Federation of Sports Climbing's World Cup (IFSC) was hosted in the country, which has a very nascent climbing scene at present.
Supported by an enthusiastic crowd that cheered at every move, Fujii completed three of the four routes, while Nonaka cleared two of the women's routes. Other podium finishers from Japan included Tomoa Narasaki (second in men's category) and Akiyo Noguchi (third in women's category).
A total of 80 athletes from countries like the US, Canada, France, Russia, Slovakia, South Korea and Iran, among others competed for the top honours. It also included 18 Indians but none of them could qualify beyond the first round.
Elimination rounds were held on Saturday and it was wrapped up yesterday with the semi-finals and finals. The routes became difficult with every round and there were a lot of overhangs that made the climbers defy gravity with sheer power that was appreciated by a cheering crowd.
The world cup was organised by the city-based Girivihar Adventure Club and hosted by the apex Indian Mountaineering Foundation.
Sports climbing is set to be included in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games and possibly in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as well.
"Climbing is a growing sport in the country and we would like to encourage more people to take up the sport and also come and watch such events. We will be looking to build on this platform," Girivihar's Franco Linhares said.
"I know that it was not an easy journey but all credit to them (organisers) for pulling off a very well conducted world cup. I hope that this is only the beginning and we are able to bring many more such events to our country," IFSC president Marco Maria Scolaris said.
