GB Climbing athletes were on form at the recent IFSC Boulder World Cup in Seoul, South Korea.
The world’s best competition climbers gathered at the next stop of the season in Seoul, South Korea, hot off the heels of the IFSC Boulder World Cup in Hachioji, Japan. This time on the schedule were both a Boulder and Speed World Cup, and the GB Climbing Team was raring to get started.
Torrential rain put a stop to the Men’s Boulder Qualification, postponing it to Sunday and meaning the IFSC had to make the decision to use the semi-final boulders to determine the final event ranking for both the Men and Women, ramping up the pressure on the athletes and making for exhilarating rounds to watch.
Meanwhile, the Speed World Cup saw multiple world record performances, the first sub five second recorded, and a new British Speed Record for Rafe Stokes who hit the buzzer at an astounding 5.64 seconds. Mega congratulations to Rafe who achieved his best World Cup result to date, finishing in the top half of the field in 29th position.
In the Boulder World Cup, our GB athletes also recorded some stellar results. Erin McNeice secured a spot in semi-finals, her second-ever Boulder World Cup, to finish in 17th, her best result to date.
Dayan Akhtar made a huge improvement in performance over the weekend to finish 35th in Seoul after leaving slightly disappointed in Hachioji the previous week.
Toby Roberts and Max Milne were also on form and secured spots in semi-finals, only Toby’s second-ever Boulder World Cup, and finished in very respectable 8th and 11th, respectively.
Next stop: Salt Lake City, USA 19-21 May, Speed and Boulder World Cup
Rafe Stokes, speaking about his new British Record, said: “Breaking the national record at the World Cup in Seoul was more than just a personal victory. It was a testament to the power of dedication and hard work. As a speed climber, I strive to push my limits and inspire others to do the same. To stand on the world stage and represent my country is an honour that I do not take lightly. My success would not have been possible without the support of my team and the unwavering belief in myself. I hope my achievements inspire others to reach for the top and push beyond what they once thought was possible.”
Erin McNeice, speaking about her best performance yet, said: “I’m happy with my performance in the qualification round in Seoul. In semis, there are definitely aspects of my performance that I’m proud of. Even though I bumped up my position to 17th, I don’t think my performance in semis was my best. But I’m very proud of a top 20 finish in my second Boulder World Cup.
“Making my first Boulder World Cup semi-final was so surreal. I know that sounds odd because it’s what I have trained so hard for, but it was an incredible feeling; and getting to share those moments with my teammates and coaches made it even more special.
“It was definitely an odd feeling knowing there wasn’t going to be a final. Essentially, I was competing in finals which definitely added a new pressure. But when I went out for semis, seeing the Boulders and hearing the crowd, I honestly forgot all the pressure. I just was focussed on climbing hard and learning from the experience. And I think that, looking at the circumstances, the best outcome was found.”
GB Climbing results in Seoul, South Korea
Men
Toby Roberts – 8th
Women
Erin McNeice – 17th
Speed
Rafe Stokes – 29th
WATCH: Speed World Cup highlights from Seoul, South Korea
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WATCH: Boulder World Cup highlights from Seoul, South Korea
VIDEO
WATCH: We Are GB Climbing
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