Keita Dohi of Japan competes during the sports climbing men's combined bouldering final at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Oct. 10, 2018. Keita Dohi won the gold of sports climbing men's combined. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
BUENOS AIRES, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Keita Dohi and Shuta Tanaka took gold and silver respectively in the sport climbing men's combined competition at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games here on Wednesday.
With the sport set to make its full Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, Dohi and Tanaka's one-two could not been more timely, as sport climbing made an exciting maiden appearance on the Olympic stage in Buenos Aires.
The Japanese duo were the most consistent of the six finalists. Dohi placed second on the speed wall behind eventual bronze medalist Sam Avezou of France, and then won the bouldering final and took third in the lead final. Meanwhile, Tanaka finished third on the bouldering wall and first on the lead wall to secure silver.
"I'm delighted with the result and I'm also happy because we created a good impression for the sport," said Dohi, who at one stage stopped his climb to urge the crowd for more support. "Sport climbing is going to be recognized in Japan. I hope everyone comes to see it at Tokyo 2020."
Tanaka was also content with his silver, and explained Japan's success in the event. "The country's greatest climbers have been helping us. They encourage us to try to improve every day. We want to reach the same level as them."
