Japan, S. Korea top Games climbing

PHUKET, Thailand (JP): Japanese and South Korean athletes confirmed their domination in the wall climbing difficulty event at the Asian X Games yesterday when they swept the top three places in the men's event.

Yuji Hirayama led a one-two finish by Japanese climbers in a disappointing final in which none of the nine qualifiers managed to reach the top of the 18-meter wall.

Tomoki Usami the silver, and bronze went to Jung Jun-son of South Korea.

On Friday, South Korean climber Sun Go-Mi won the women's category in an evenly-balanced contest against Rip Kimura of Japan. The two were the only climbers who managed to scale the wall.

Winner of the event received US$4,600 in prize money, while second and third finishers were given $2,600 and $1,600 respectively.

Ronald Mamarimbing, the only Indonesian representative in the men's final, failed to meet his target of finishing in the top five when he placed eighth.

A $250 cash prize was the only consolation for Ronald.

Altogether, Indonesia's four climbers collected $1,450, with Yuyun Yuniarti earning the biggest amount of $800 for finishing fifth in the women's event on Friday.

An Indonesian climber, Bondan Kartiko, attributed Hirayama's victory yesterday to his savvy strategy.

"He had already run out of steam when he tried to pass the roof area. He could have never done it if he did not make a cross over the route and jump to touch the hold's point," he told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

"I'd personally say that Usami had done better by keeping his way on the route. He could have been the champion had Yuji not jumped up to the last hold."

Bondan, who did not to qualify for the final, added that only Hirayama and Usami could cover three-quarter of the wall among the finalists. (cst)