The IFSC World Cup season kicked off this weekend in Keqiao, China. The international climbing elite competed at the Bouldering World Cup for the first time at World Cup level. Young Japanese talent Anraku Sorato took home gold in the men's competition, while Annie Sanders of the United States topped the podium in the women's competition.
Once again, the dominance of Japanese athletes was evident. In both the women's and men's events, the Japanese secured three final places. In the men's event, two podium places were held by Japanese athletes at the end of the day – gold went to Anraku Sorato, Bronze Meichi Narasaki.
France was in the final with Mejdi Schalck, Sam Avezou and Paul Jenft was also strongly represented, but had to settle for places 5, 6 and 7.
Women's bouldering final in review
The distribution of podium places was somewhat more heterogeneous in the women's competition. Gold went to American Annie Sanders, silver to the French Oriane Bertone and bronze to the British Erin McNeiceJapan was also strongly represented in the women's final, but did not make it onto the podium. Mao Nakamura, Miho Nonaka and Melody Sekikawa had to settle for 4th, 5th and 6th place.
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Credits: Cover picture IFSC