Sports Bulletin Report
Seoul (South Korea): Japan’s women Nonaka Miho won the first IFSC World Cup gold medal in Boulder for five years at Jungnang Sport Climbing Stadium, Seoul, South Korea on Sunday. She had lifted the gold medal last time in Meiringen 2018.
France’s Mejdi Schalck got his second consecutive gold medal in 2023. Due to adverse weather and a reschedule, the semifinals, with 20 competitors in both men’s and women’s competitions, were used for final rankings and awarding of medals.
Men had a qualification round in the morning before the evening semifinals of both men’s and women's fixtures. Another French medal, as Oriane Bertone won the silver in women’s competition. USA’s Brooke Raboutou earned gold in Hachioji last week by taking bronze. Narasaki Tomoa from Japan got silver medal in men's event. Home favourite Chon Jongwon pleased crowd with a bronze medal.
IFSC World Cup Seoul 2023 completed after Boulder competition and a stunning Speed competition with multiple world records and wins for Aleksandra Miroslaw (POL) and Veddriq Leonardo (INA). Next IFSC World Cup will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 6-7 May 2023.
Nonaka Miho (Gold medallist) said:
“I’m so happy. I’m delighted to win this gold medal. I don’t know what to say. I’ve competed for so long and it’s been five years since I won at a Boulder World Cup. It feels crazy. I’m happy.”
Mejdi Schalck (Men's Gold medallist) said:
“I think I don’t really realise what is happening. It’s just crazy. I just wanted to come here and do my best, climb and have fun. It’s crazy, I don’t think I realise actually what is happening.”
