Qualification took centre stage on day one of the Oceania Climbing Championships ©Twitter

Australia's Tom O'Halloran and Oceania Mackenzie topped men's and women's qualification, respectively, on the opening day of the International Federation of Sport Climbing Oceania Championships in Sydney.

O'Halloran led the men's qualifiers for tomorrow's combined final after finishing ahead of compatriot Thomas Farrell at the event, open to 10 climbers from Australia and New Zealand.

James Kassay took third, 18 points behind.

In the women's competition, 18-year-old Mackenzie was the star performer as she qualified in first place.

The event is open to 10 athletes from Australia and New Zealand ©IFSC
The event is open to 10 athletes from Australia and New Zealand ©IFSC

The top three athletes were all from Australia as Siobhan Dobie was second and Ella Easton third.

The winners of the two finals in the combined discipline - featuring bouldering, speed and lead - will earn a quota spot for Tokyo 2020, where sport climbing is due to make its Olympic debut.

The event in Sydney marks the end of the sport climbing qualification process for the Games, pushed back to 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.