Meng shixue

Asian Youth Climbing Championships: False starts proved decisive in the speed events at the Asian Youth Climbing Championships here on Saturday, with China claiming two gold medals in the women's categories while favourites stumbled in the men's finals.

Zhao Yicheng, 16, fresh from winning gold at the Youth World Championships, was disqualified for a false start in the under-17 final. Indonesia's Haddan Malik Baqmuhyibar advanced to the title as Zhao's reaction time registered under 0.1 seconds at the start, automatically ruling him out.

Zhao had dominated earlier rounds, clocking 4.82, 4.79, and 4.75 seconds en route to the final, but admitted afterwards that excitement had gotten the better of him.