Kayotani Ritsu, centre, and Murakoshi Kaho, right, placed first and second respectively in the men’s under-18 boulder event in Seoul ©IFSC

Japan showcased their talented pool of climbers with an impressive showing at the International Federation of Sport Climbing Youth World Championshiops in Seoul.

The Japanese team topped the overall standings with 20 medals - one more than they achieved at last year’s event.

There was a Japanese clean sweep in the men’s lead under-16 competition with Ryusei Hamada crowned champion ahead of team-mates Hareru Nagamori and Ryota Toda.

"I felt very nervous before climbing, but my goal was to catch the top hold, and I did it, so I’m so happy," said Hamada.

Hamada was one of six gold medallists from Japan at the Seoul Mountain Climbing and Culture in the South Korean capital.

Ritsu Kayotani topped a Japanese one-two in the men’s under-18 boulder event, beating Raito Kato in the battle for gold.

Junta Sekiguch added another gold for Japan when he emerged victorious from the men’s under-20 boulder competition.

Kaho Murakoshi was another Japanese winner when she triumphed in the women’s under-18 boulder event, while Natsumi Oda overcame compatriot Kohana Mugishima to clinch women’s under-16 lead gold.

There was also delight for Japan’s Karin Hayashi who came out on top in the women’s speed under-20 event.

South Korea enjoy home success with Noh Hyun-seung clinching the men’s under-16 boulder title and Kwon Ki-boem winning the men’s under-18 lead crown

"I never expected to get the gold medal but I’m so happy and I’m looking forward to taking this forward into the future to win some more," said Noh.

"When we were presented to the crowd before we started, I felt the power from them and that helped me to the top."

France picked up two golds thanks to Selma Elhadj Mimoune victory in the women’s under-20 boulder competition and Meije Leondel’s success in the women’s under-18 lead event.

Zhao Yicheng led a Chinese one-two-three in the men’s under-16 speed contest, beating Xu Jianxun and Yu Zexuan, while Zhang Tianxiang secured the women’s under-18 speed title.

Analise van Hoang and Michael Hom struck gold for the United States after winning the respective women’s under-16 and men’s under-18 speed crowns.

There were also world titles for Ukraine’s Polina Khalkevych, New Zealand’s Julian David, Slovenia’s Sara Copar and Belgium’s Hannes van Duysen.