South Korea's Kim Dong-Yong impressed in the men's single sculls ©Getty Images

South Korea’s Kim Dong-Yong led from start to finish to win his men’s single sculls and advance directly to the semi-final stage of the competition at the International Rowing Federation (FISA) Asian and Oceania Olympic Qualification Regatta in Chungju.

The home favourite produced a time of 6min 46.49sec on Tangeum Lake to win the opening heat of the day, with Kazakhstan’s Vladislav Yakovlev also progressing through after clocking 6:48.04.

Iraq’s Mohammed Riyadh Al-Khafaji and Vietnam’s Linh Nguyen Van finished in 7:02.19 and 7:06.82 to advance from the second heat, with Indonesia’s Memo Memo finishing 0.9 seconds ahead of India’s Dattu Baban Bhokanal to win the third race in 6:46.26.

The final automatic places in the semi-final stages of the competition were sealed by Hong Kong’s Hiu Fung Law and Jaruwat Saensuk of Thailand, after they recorded times of 6:53.03 and 6:54.35 in the fourth heat.

Repecharges will be held in to decide the remaining rowers in the semi-finals, with each of the participants chasing one of seven places available at Rio 2016.

Chinese Taipei’s Yi-Ting Huang produced the fastest time in the women’s single sculls, winning the opening heat in a time of 7:31.15.

Vietnam’s Hue Pham Thi and South Korea’s Kim Yeji recorded times of 7:35.38 and 7:32.21 to triumph in their respective heats.

Kim Yeji triumphed in her women's single sculls heat
Kim Yeji triumphed in her women's single sculls heat ©Getty Images

Hiroshi Nakano and Hideki Omoto of Japan won the first heat of the men’s lightweight men's double sculls in a time of 6:20.70, with their Chinese rivals finishing five seconds adrift.

The duo were joined by India’s Roopendra and Vikram Singh in the final after they finished in 6:22.75, with Indonesia ending narrowly behind, but will now need to progress through the repecharge.

Japan and Hong Kong progressed to the final of the women’s double sculls after winning the opening heat in times of 7:05.95 and 7:08.24.

They were joined by South Korea and Iran’s crews, who finished in 7:09.35 and 7:09.52 respectively.

National federations are only able to qualify one male crew and one female crew at this regatta, which will force them to decide which class of boat they wish to select for the Games, in the event they secure places in the singles and double sculls events.

It is the first time that two continents have compete in the same Olympic qualifier, with Oceania powerhouses Australia and New Zealand forced to qualify through Europe.