Japan's Kairi Netsuke top-scored with a blistering first run Friday as the host nation dominated the men's quarterfinals at the street skateboarding world championships in Tokyo.
Toa Sasaki, Tokyo Olympian Sora Shirai and 13-year-old star Ginwoo Onodera filled the next three spots on the leaderboard to advance to Saturday's 16-man semifinals at Ariake Coliseum, where they will be joined by reigning Olympic champion Yuto Horigome, who placed ninth.
In the women's competition, Olympic title holder Momiji Nishiya reached the semifinals along with six other Japanese skaters.
The eight-day championships, taking place through Sunday, double as a qualifier for next summer's Paris Olympics, with vital rankings points at stake.
Netsuke scored 80.37 to finish the quarters 7.7 points ahead of Sasaki. Shirai earned 72.00, while Onodera, who took bronze at the previous worlds, was awarded 71.10.
"I changed my run slightly from the qualifying round and I think that led to a pretty good score," Netsuke said. "It's the first time I've made it to the semifinals with a mistake-free run, so I'm really happy."
With the reigning world champion and current Olympic qualification points leader, France's Aurelien Giraud, absent from the competition for personal reasons, a new men's champion will be crowned in Tokyo.
Australian 13-year-old sensation Chloe Covell will start as the skater to beat in the women's semifinals after scoring 77.26 in the quarters, with Brazil's Olympic silver medalist Rayssa Leal second following a best run of 74.87.
Japan's Liz Akama was third on 69.92 and Nishiya fourth on 69.37 after each earning their best score on the first of two quarterfinal runs.
Currently first in the Olympic points ranking, the 16-year-old Nishiya joined the rest of the top five in skipping the qualifying heats earlier in the week and entering from the quarterfinal stage.
"I was happy with my first run, but I made a few mistakes on my second, so I'll try my best to be flawless next time," Nishiya said.
Related coverage:
Skateboarding: Japanese teens Hiraki, Kusaki go 1-2 at park worlds
Asian Games: Pursuit of skateboard perfection music to Hinano Kusaki's ears
Skateboarding: Nishiya gets maiden Paris Olympics qualifying win
