LEAD WRAPS UP JAPANESE NATIONAL COMPETITIONS

10 March 2026

The Japanese National titles for the three core climbing disciplines were confirmed over the weekend with Lead the last to be decided

Ai Mori took her seventh consecutive Lead National title over the weekend as the Japan Cup series of events drew to a close, while Neo Suzuki claimed the men’s title.

The Japan Cup selects the climbers that will be seen on the international stage representing Japan in Boulder, Lead and Speed so has huge significance when it comes to the World Climbing Series for the upcoming season.

Mori topped the podium once again in the women’s Lead ahead of Olympic medallist Miho Nonaka who was second and Hana Koike who was third.

For the men, second placed Shion Omata and third placed Sorato Anraku joined winner Suzuki on the podium.

The winners of the Boulder and Speed cups had already been decided with the Boulder Japan Cup in late January and Speed Japan Cup in the middle of February.

Anraku once again took a bronze medal in the Boulder competition but was beaten by the Narasaki brothers. Meichi won gold with brother Tomoa taking silver.

For the women, Nonaka also secured herself another medal, a silver again, this time beaten by Futaba Ito who won the competition. Melody Sekikawa joined them on the podium in bronze.

Ryo Omasa claimed the men’s and Karin Hayashi the women’s titles in Speed.

Omasa finished ahead of Motonori Tabuchi who took silver and Shuto Fujino who took bronze, while Hayashi claimed gold ahead of silver medallist Haruka Kanetani and bronze medallist Ren Koyamatsu.