Chinese riders top BMX freestyle park at Olympic Qualifier Series in Shanghai

China swept the podium in the cycling BMX freestyle women's park final of the Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) in Shanghai on Saturday, while Veddriq Leonardo of Indonesia set a new men's speed climbing Asian record.

With International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach watching from the stands, Chinese cyclists Sun Sibei, Sun Jiaqi and Deng Yawen finished as the top three in the women's park final in front of a packed venue at the Huangpu Riverside.

Despite the full podium, each participating delegation is only allowed a maximum of two athletes to participate in the same event in BMX freestyle at the Paris Olympics according to the rules.

"Today's result is a collective effort of all the staff. The three of us couldn't get here without each other's help in training," Deng said. "No matter who ends up qualifying for Paris, it will be the honor of the whole team."

Anthony Jeanjean of France won in the men's category with a superb first run, followed by Olympic champion Logan Martin of Australia and reigning world champion Darren David Kieran Reilly of Britain.

China's Zhou Yafei beat Rajiah Sallsabillah of Indonesia to win her first world title in women's speed climbing. Natalia Kalucka of Poland won the bronze ahead of China's Niu Di.

On the men's side, Leonardo finished with 4.83 seconds to set a new Asian record in the final over home favorite and world No. 1 Wu Peng, who had lowered the Asian record in his championship at the 2024 IFSC Climbing World Cup last month, with another Chinese climber, Wang Xinshang, in third.

Breaking kicked off with pre-selection in the morning and pre-qualifiers in the evening. China's Qi Xiangyu, Zeng Yingying and Liu Ziyan all advanced to the last 16. 

Meanwhile, Tokyo Olympic champion Momiji Nishiya of Japan suffered a shock exit in the skateboarding women's street semifinal, while China's Cui Chenxi and Zeng Wenhui qualified for Sunday's final.

(With input from Xinhua)