Kokoro Fujii was among eight Japanese climbers in the top 20 of the men's boulder qualification round in Seoul ©Dimitris Tosidis/IFSC

Reigning world champion Kokoro Fujii led an impressive Japanese challenge in the qualification round of the men’s boulder competition at the International Federation of Sporting Climbing (IFSC) World Cup in South Korean capital Seoul.

Eight of the top 20 positions were taken by Japanese athletes, with Fujii heading the standings after demonstrating the ability that saw him win the world title last year.

The 29-year-old made three tops and five zones to seal top spot ahead of French duo Paul Jenft and Mejdi Schalck who came second and third, respectively.

Japan’s Youth Olympic champion Keita Dohi finished fourth, while compatriots Yoshiyuki Ogata, Meichi Narasaki, Tomoaki Takata and Tomoa Narasaki all ranked inside the top 10.

Yuji Inoue came 13th and Satone Yoshida placed 18th on a strong day for Japan.

Natalia Grossman produced a perfect score in the qualification round of the women's boulder competition ©Dimitris Tosidis/IFSC
Natalia Grossman produced a perfect score in the qualification round of the women's boulder competition ©Dimitris Tosidis/IFSC

American Natalia Grossman and Serbia’s Staša Gejo were the only climbers from the 55-strong women’s field who achieved a perfect score of five tops and five zones in the qualification round.

World and World Cup bouldering champion Grossman climbed to first place on the basis of completing the challenge in a lower number of attempts.

Kylie Cullen, Cloe Coscoy, and Brooke Raboutou will join fellow American Grossman in the semi-finals after finishing in the top 16.

Italy’s Camilla Moroni placed third with four tops and five zones - a score which was also registered by France’s Oriane Bertone, Austria’s Franziska Sterrer and Japanese duo Nonaka Miho and Ito Futaba.

The IFSC World Cup in Seoul is due to conclude tomorrow with the men’s and women’s boulder semi-finals and finals.