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CLIMBING - Int News 25 May, 2022

Japan to host IFSC Boulder & Lead World Cup

Sports Bulletin Report Torino (Itay):-The International Sport Climbing Federation (IFSC) announced that the IFSC Boulder World Cup originally scheduled in May 2022, has been rescheduled as the IFSC Boulder & Lead World Cup in Morioka-Iwate, Japan. In what will be the first international Sport Climbing event held in Japan since the sport’s successful Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 last summer, the World Cup in Morioka-Iwate will take place this from 20 to 22 October. The Morioka-Iwate competition will be the first IFSC World Cup held in Japan since the World Cup in Inzai in October 2019. It will also be loaded with Olympic flavours. Morioka-Iwate will be the first IFSC event to feature the Boulder & Lead discipline, which will be one of the two medal events at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, and it will also be the final event of the 2022 IFSC season, pointing enticingly to the 2023 season when the qualification path to Paris 2024 officially begins. IFSC President Marco Scolaris said: “First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the local government of Morioka-Iwate for their desire to welcome this event and our athletes from around the world. It will be a pleasure for all of us to return to Japan after making history in Tokyo last summer. It will also be an opportunity to look with excitement toward the future with the new Boulder & Lead format, which will provide a great test for our athletes ahead of the start of our qualifying campaign for Paris 2024 the following season.”

CLIMBING - Int News 23 May, 2022

GROSSMAN-RABOUTOU SIGN A GOLD-SILVER COMBO

Sports Bulletin Repot Salt Lake City (USA):-The first of three International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) events scheduled in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, came to an end tonight, at Pioneer Park, in front of a roaring crowd. The opening act of the night saw France’s young talent Mejdi Schalck finally to climb on the highest step of an IFSC World Cup podium. The 18-year-old from Chambery crushed the competition with a fantastic performance, solving a full range of four, challenging and diverse problems. Schalck is also the first non-Japanese climber to win a men’s Boulder World Cup since Sean Bailey of the United States of America took gold in Salt Lake City in May 2021. Ogata Yoshiyuki of Japan also finished with four tops and four zones, but placed second behind Schalck because of a higher number of attempts to top. Ogata won silver and placed on the Boulder World Cup podium for the third time in 2022. A second Japanese climber, Kawamata Rei, completed the podium in third place, winning bronze with three tops and four zones. Austria’s Nicolai Uznik, Germany’s Yannick Flohé, and Austria’s Jakob Schubert respectively finished in fourth, fifth, and sixth position. In the women’s event, home favourite Natalia Grossman secured her second consecutive Boulder World Cup gold with another fantastic round. On her way to the podium, Grossman flashed two of the four boulders she had to face, and eventually closed the round being the only finalists with four tops and as many zones. Team USA also won silver with Brooke Raboutou, who finished in second place with three tops and four zones. Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist Nonaka Miho also placed on the podium, winning bronze with 3 tops and four zones. Two Austrian athletes placed just outside of the podium: Jessica Pilz finished in fourth position, while Franziska Sterrer placed fifth after closing the semi-final round tied at the top of the ranking with Raboutou. Camilla Moroni of Italy closed sixth, at the bottom of the table.

CLIMBING - Int News 21 May, 2022

POLAND AND INDONESIA CONTINUE THEIR SPEED DOMINATION

Sports Bulletin Report Salt Lake City (USA):-The Polish and Indonesian climbing teams, respectively dominated the women’s and men’s Speed events in Salt Lake City: Aleksandra Miroslaw led an all-Polish podium that also included twin sisters Aleksandra and Natalia Kalucka; while Kiromal Katibin and Veddriq Leonardo jumped on a World Cup podium together, once again. Miroslaw took gold for the second consecutive World Cup event – the seventh of her career – marking the best time of her final in the race for the gold medal: 6.93 seconds. Aleksandra Kalucka won Silver, finishing almost one seconds behind her teammate with 7.83. The current women’s Speed world champion, Natalia Kalucka, competed the podium in third place, besting Emma Hunt of the United States of America in one of the closest races of the night: 7.52 for the Polish climber, 7.58 for Hunt. A faulty finale characterised the men’s Speed final, which was eventually won by the current men’s Speed world record holder Kiromal Katibin of Indonesia. Katibin claimed gold with 5.64 seconds in the final, with Noah Bratschi of the United States of America falling midway through his ascent. Previosuly, both Katibin and Bratschi had qualified for the gold medal race thanks to two falls: from Ludovico Fossali of Italy and Veddriq Leonardo, respectively. In the small final, Leonardo stopped the clock at 5.59 seconds, placing third. Fossali fell for the second time in his round and finished in fourth position.

CLIMBING - Int News 20 May, 2022

TWO IFSC WORLD CUPS IN CHINA CALLED OFF DUE TO PANDEMIC

Sports Bulletin Report Torino (Italy):-The International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) announced the cancellation of two World Cups that were scheduled for later this fall in Wujiang and Chongqing, China, due to ongoing concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The Chinese Mountaineering Association (CMA) recently informed the IFSC of its decision to withdraw from hosting the IFSC Lead and Speed World Cup, from 30 September to 2 October in Wujiang, and the IFSC Boulder & Lead World Cup from 6 to 9 October in Chongqing.

CLIMBING - Int News 20 May, 2022

CLIMBING ELITE GATHERS IN SALT LAKE CITY FOR BACK-TO-BACK WORLD CUPS

Sports Bulletin Report Salt Lake City (USA):-The International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Cup Series 2022 kicked off at the beginning of April, in Meiringen, Switzerland, traveled all the way to Seoul, South Korea, and are about to land on the third, different continent in less than two months. Following the first-ever back-to-back of IFSC events, organised in May 2021, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, is about to welcome three IFSC events in the span of ten days: two IFSC Boulder and Speed World Cups – scheduled from 20 to 22, and from 27 to 29 May – and an IFSC Paraclimbing World Cup, taking place on 24 and 25 May. The two IFSC Climbing World Cups will be organised in Pioneer Park, and will enlist 209 athletes from 31 countries or territories, and five continents; and 227 athletes from 33 countries or territories, and five continents. The Paraclimbing event is going to be hosted by The Front Climbing Gym, with 101 athletes registered to compete, representing 19 countries or territories, and four continents. After winning both of last year’s women’s Boulder events in Salt Lake City, Natalia Grossman of the United States of America will aim for her second consecutive World Cup gold medal. Also contending for a spot on the podium will be Olympians Petra Klingler of Switzerland, Oceania Mackenzie of Australia, Jessica Pilz of Austria, and Alannah Yip of Canada. In the men’s Boulder event, Team Japan will try to continue its domination, having secured five out of the six World Cup medals awarded so far in 2022. Narasaki Tomoa and Fujii Kokoro – gold medallists at the IFSC World Cups in Meiringen, Switzerland, and Seoul, South Korea, respectively, will lead a stellar group of climbers that also includes Ogata Yoshiyuki and Takata Tomoaki. In the Speed events, all eyes will be on the fastest climbers in the world – Kiromal Katibin of Indonesia, and Aleksandra Miroslaw of Poland – who both set new Speed world records at the IFSC World Cup in Seoul, earlier this month. Competing on their home soil, John Brosler and Emma Hunt will also battle for a spot on the Speed podiums. Schedules of the three events: IFSC Boulder and Speed World Cup Friday, 20 May: 12:15 PM - Speed qualifications 8:00 PM - Speed finals Saturday, 21 May: 9:00 AM - Men's Boulder qualification 3:30 PM - Women's Boulder qualification Sunday, 22 May: 11:00 AM - Boulder semifinals 6:00 PM - Men's Boulder final Followed by - Women's Boulder final IFSC Paraclimbing World Cup: Tuesday, 24 May: 9:00 AM - Paraclimbing qualifications Wednesday, 25 May: 12:00 PM - Paraclimbing finals IFSC Boulder and Speed World Cup: Friday, 27 May: 12:15 PM - Speed qualifications 8:00 PM - Speed finals Saturday, 28 May: 9:00 AM - Women's Boulder qualification 3:30 PM - Men's Boulder qualification Sunday, 29 May: 11:00 AM - Boulder semifinals 6:00 PM - Women's Boulder final Followed by - Men's Boulder final

CLIMBING - Int News 18 May, 2022

IFSC PRESENTS PARIS 2024 QUALIFICATION SYSTEM

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-The Qualification Systems for Sport Climbing and the other 31 sports that make up the programme of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 have been approved by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The qualification period for Sport Climbing, pre-approved by the Executive Board of the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) ahead of the IOC meeting, will begin in August 2023 at the 2023 IFSC Climbing World Championships in Bern, Switzerland. It will continue with five continental qualifying events, to be held between September and December 2023, and conclude with the Olympic Qualifier Series, announced last month by the IOC, from March to June 2024. Qualification for Paris 2024 will be limited to two Sport Climbing athletes per gender and per National Olympic Committee in each discipline. Qualifying places will be allocated to the athletes by name.

CLIMBING - Int News 09 May, 2022

GROSSMAN, FUJII CROWNED IN SEOUL

Sports Bulletin Report SEOUL (Korea):-The first International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Cup hosted by an Asian city since October 2019 closed tonight at the Jungnang Sport Climbing Stadium, inside the Yongma Waterfall Park in Seoul. Natalia Grossman of the United States of America capped off a fantastic performance with a smooth flash on problem number four. The US talent finished the event with the gold medal around her neck, and the impressive record of 13 boulder problems solved out of 13 between qualification, semi-final, and final. One top shy of the gold medal position, Oriane Bertone of France slipped when she was centimeters away from securing the third bloc of the round, which eventually turned out to be the decisive one. The 17-year-old finished second, claiming the third World Cup medal of her career. The podium was completed by Tokyo 2020 Olympian Brooke Raboutou, also of the United States of America, who signed off with three tops and three zones, winning the bronze medal. Just outside of the medal positions, Stasa Gejo of Serbia took fourth place with two tops and four zones, Camilla Moroni of Italy placed fifth with one top and two zones, and Aoyagi Mia of Japan closed in sixth place with three zones. As a light rain started pouring on the venue, Team Japan concluded its domination of the men’s Boulder event. Indeed, after placing eight athletes in the semi-final round, and five in the final, the Japanese national team swept the men’s event podium. Reigning Boulder world champion Fujii Kokoro climbed on the highest step of the podium thanks to a thrilling top on problem number 4, which he secured as time was expiring. Narasaki Tomoa – gold medalist at the opening Boulder World Cup event of the season in Meiringen, Switzerland – won silver with three tops and four zones. The bronze medal went to Ogata Yoshiyuki with three tops and three zones. The one and only non-Japanese finalist – France’s Paul Jenft – concluded in fourth position with two tops and four zones, followed by Narasaki Meichi and Dohi Keita of Japan, respectively in fifth and sixth. The IFSC World Cup Series 2022 will now move to Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, where back to back Boulder and Speed events are scheduled from 20 to 22, and 27 to 29 May.

CLIMBING - Int News 08 May, 2022

Sirbaz Khan becomes first Pakistani mountaineers to climb 10 peaks

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-SirbazKhan has become the first Pakistani climber to climb 10 of the world’s highest 14 peaks above 8,000 meter after scaling Kanchenjunga 8,586m on Saturday 7th May 2022. According to an official of Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) Karar Haideri, Khan stood at the top the summit (8,586 m) of the world’s third highest peak at 7 am on Saturday with other members of a team led by Mingma Gyalje Sherpa (Mingma G) of Imagine Nepal. Sirbaz Khan became the only Pakistani to summit 10x8000m peaks after he reached the summit of the world's 3rd highest peak this morning Sirbaz, 32, hails from the Aliabad area of Hunza in Gilgit-Baltistan and began his climbing career in 2016. In 2019, he became the first Pakistani to summit Mount Lhotse, the world’s fourth-highest mountain at 8,516m in Nepal, without the use of supplementary oxygen. Moreover, he summited the 8,125-metre-high Nanga Parbat in 2017, 8,611-metre-high K-2 in 2018 and Broad Peak, which has a height of 8,163 metres in 2019. Earlier this year, he climbed the 8,091-metre-high Anapurna mountain, 8,848-metre-high Everest and 8,035-metre-high Gasherbrum II. On four of these expeditions, he had been accompanied by late Mohammad Ali Sadpara. Sirbaz is aiming to become the first Pakistani to climb all 14 of the world’s highest peaks. He plans to climb Makalu this month and G1 this summer. However, Cho Oyu and Shishapangma are not decided yet.

CLIMBING - Int News 06 May, 2022

IFSC World Cup: Indonesia sweeps speed podium on the opening day

Sports Bulletin Report SEOUL (Korea):-An eventful opening day at the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Cup in Seoul, South Korea, closed with the Indonesian and Polish national anthems resounding in the wonderful Jungnang Sport Climbing Stadium. A trio of talented Indonesian climbers led by Veddriq Leonardo took the top three positions in the men’s Speed event, with Leonardo securing first place thanks to his teammate Kiromal Katibin’s false start in the race for the gold medal. “Obviously I’m super happy, and quite excited as well, because it is the first competition of the season,” commented Leonardo. “I felt very confident throughout the entire final, it feels incredible!” Despite the anticlimactic and disappointing finale, Katibin could console himself with the men’s Speed world record he set during the qualification round, when he stopped the clock at 5.17 seconds – three hundredths of a second quicker than the previous mark, set by Leonardo at last year’s World Cup in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. The men’s podium was completed by a third Indonesian climber – Rahmad Adi – who bested Ludovico Fossali of Italy in the small final and won bronze. In the women’s Speed event, Polish Olympian Aleksandra Miroslaw secured the top of the podium at an IFSC World Cup for the sixth time in her career. Miroslaw, a multi-decorated Speed specialist, prevailed over Emma Hunt of the United States of America in the final race, closing with the impressive time of 6.72 seconds. An even more impressive time was set by Miroslaw in the qualification round, where he crushed the world record she set at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – 6.84 – and hit the finish pad at 6.64 seconds. “I am very happy, of course, but it hasn’t been my best final,” Miroslaw said. “I made a lot of mistakes in the first couple of rounds, but the semi-final and the final were pretty good. The mindset was completely different from the qualification, where I set the world record, everyone knows you’re the fastest one and you have to deal with a lot of pressure.” Aleksandra Kalucka – also of Poland – placed third, beating Franziska Ritter of Germany in the race for bronze.

CLIMBING - Int News 06 May, 2022

IFSC World Cup: 210 climbers to participate in the championship

Sports Bulletin Report SEOUL (Korea):-International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Cup Series 2022 is about to commence in the Olympic city of Seoul, South Korea, where 210 athletes are going to climb their way to the top of the World Cup podium. A total of 74 climbers – 39 men and 35 women – will battle in the opening act of the competition: the men’s and women’s Speed medal events; while 127 are going to compete in Boulder – 62 men and 65 women. World record holders Veddriq Leonardo of Indonesia and Aleksandra Miroslaw of Poland will both be at the starting blocks, with a field of fierce antagonists that includes USA's John Brosler and Emma Hunt, 2019 IFSC world champion Ludovico Fossali of Italy, and 2021 world champion Natalia Kalucka of Poland. Following Janja Garnbret’s win in Meiringen, Switzerland, and the Slovenian consequent decision to skip the remainder of the Boulder season, USA's Natalia Grossman became the undisputed favourite for the women’s Boulder gold medal. In the men’s event, the Japanese representatives are going to be the ones to beat, once again, led by reigning Boulder world champion Fujii Kokoro, Meiringen 2022 gold medallist Narasaki Tomoa, and six-time World Cup medallist Ogata Yoshiyuki. Climbing in front of a sold-out crowd, the South Korean home team will be headlined by Tokyo 2020 Olympians Chon Jongwon and Seo Chaehyun. Schedule Friday, 6 May (UTC+9:00): 12:15 PM Speed qualifications 8:00 PM Speed finals Saturday, 7 May: 9:00 AM Women's Boulder qualification 3:30 PM Men's Boulder qualification Sunday, 8 May: 11:00 AM Boulder semifinals 5:00 PM Women's Boulder final Followed by Men's Boulder final