Japan tops three of the four qualification rankings, Austria’s Anika Deubler leads the U19 women, while host nation Italy sends seven climbers through to the semifinals
ARCO, ITALY – 19 JULY 2026 – The World Climbing Youth Championship Arco 2026 opened with two intense days of Lead qualification on the historic walls of the Arco Climbing Stadium, bringing together 376 young climbers across the U17 and U19 competitions.
The opening phase highlighted the extraordinary strength and depth of the Asian teams. Japan finished at the top of three of the four qualification rankings, while athletes representing Japan, China and Korea claimed ten of the twelve available places inside the provisional top three.
Austria’s Anika Deubler was the only athlete to interrupt the Asian dominance, setting the benchmark in the U19 women’s competition.
The first two days were also marked by strong public attendance, with spectators filling the venue and creating an enthusiastic atmosphere throughout the qualification rounds. Positive feedback was received from the international delegations, which praised the organisation and hospitality provided by the FASI Federal Organising Committee.
JAPANESE CLEAN SWEEP IN THE U17 MEN’S COMPETITION
The championship began with the U17 Lead qualification rounds, temporarily interrupted for approximately one hour by heavy rain.
Despite the challenging conditions, the young athletes faced two highly technical and selective routes, designed to test movement precision, endurance and the ability to adapt under pressure.
Japan dominated the U17 men’s ranking, occupying all three leading positions. Kazuki Nakata was the only climber to top both qualification routes and finished in first place. He was followed by compatriots Taketo Saiki, who recorded a top and 46, and Haku Ishida, with a top and 42+.
China’s Zerun Mu finished fourth, ahead of Korean athletes Hayool Lee and Jungyoon Choi, confirming the strength of the Asian field.
HAYASHI LEADS AN ALL-ASIAN U17 WOMEN’S TOP THREE
Japan also took first place in the U17 women’s qualification through Arisa Hayashi, who reached hold 41+ on both routes.
China completed the provisional podium positions, with Yijing Lu finishing second after scores of 40+ and 41+, and Meini Li taking third place thanks to a strong 42+ performance on the second route.
Korea’s Bom Yun placed fourth, followed by Mariia Silkina and Japan’s Asuha Akiyama.
For host nation Italy, Carolina Gradaschi secured a place in the semifinal by finishing 22nd. She was the only Italian U17 athlete to progress from the qualification round.
DEUBLER SETS THE STANDARD IN THE U19 WOMEN’S FIELD
The second day of competition featured the U19 athletes on routes characterised by sustained intensity, complex off-balance movements and a high level of technical difficulty.
Austria’s Anika Deubler produced the most consistent performance of the women’s qualification, reaching 42+ on both routes to take first place.
Japan’s Natsumi Oda followed closely in second with 42+ and 41+, while her teammate Shiori Murasugi finished third after reaching 42 and 41+. Ukraine’s Rafael Kazbekova placed fourth, ahead of Japan’s Kohana Mugishima and France’s Swann Lamblin-Burguet.
Italy’s Margherita Pernigotti delivered an excellent performance to finish seventh, while teammates Sofia Brenna and Emma Gregorotti placed 20th and 22nd respectively. All three advanced to the semifinal.
HAMADA CLAIMS THE ONLY DOUBLE TOP IN THE U19 MEN’S QUALIFICATION
Japan’s Ryusei Hamada delivered one of the standout performances of the opening weekend, becoming the only U19 male athlete to top both qualification routes.
Hamada climbed with control and technical authority to finish ahead of Korea’s Chanjin Jung, who achieved a top on the first route and reached hold 43 on the second.
Italy’s Andrea Ludovico Chelleris completed the top three after two composed and precise performances, scoring 44+ and 45+. Great Britain’s Isaac Sutton finished fourth, followed by Japan’s Hareru Nagamori and the Austrian pair Christian Leitner and Adrian Kathan.
The host nation celebrated a complete qualification success in the U19 category. Alongside Chelleris, Gianluca Vighetti finished 16th and Alessandro Sofia 20th, meaning that all six Italian U19 competitors progressed to the next round.
SEVEN ITALIAN CLIMBERS THROUGH TO THE SEMIFINALS
Italy concluded the first two days with seven semifinalists: Carolina Gradaschi in the U17 women’s competition and the entire six-athlete U19 team.
FASI President Davide Battistella commented:
“These opening days have shown exactly what an international youth championship should represent: outstanding sporting performances, young athletes from across the world sharing the same stage and a truly enthusiastic atmosphere inside the venue.
“We are extremely proud of the Italian results, particularly the complete qualification of our U19 team, but we are equally proud of the welcome and organisation delivered by the FASI Organising Committee, the volunteers and everyone involved in the event.
“The strong response from the public and the positive feedback received from the international delegations are the best recognition of their commitment. Arco has once again demonstrated its ability to host a world-class climbing event.”
With qualification now complete, the World Climbing Youth Championship Arco 2026 moves into the semifinal phase, where the leading young Lead specialists will return to the wall in pursuit of a place in the world title finals.