CHONGLI, China, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Japanese snowboarders Ruka Hirano and Yuto Totsuka secured top positions in their respective heats to advance to the men's halfpipe final of the FIS Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup in Chongli, north China's Hebei Province, on Friday.

The qualification round was divided into two heats, with the top five snowboarders from each heat progressing to the final.

In Heat 1, 23-year-old Yuto Totsuka led the pack with a score of 90.75 points after an impressive second run. Beijing Winter Olympic gold medalist Ayumu Hirano followed in second place with 88 points, while Olympic silver medalist Scotty James from Australia secured third place with 85.25 points.

Chinese snowboarders Wang Ziyang and Fan Xiaobing narrowly missed advancing, finishing in 7th and 10th place, respectively, in their heat.

"I finished the run, which is great. I tried a higher difficulty on my second run, and it went much smoother than my first one. I'm satisfied," said the 23-year-old Fan after his qualification round.

In the other heat, Ruka Hirano from Japan claimed first place with an impressive score of 91.75 points, booking his spot in the final.

The men's snowboard halfpipe final will take place at Genting Snow Park on Sunday. Enditem

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