On Saturday, at the IFSC World Cup Salt Lake City, 17-year-old Anraku Sorato made history by winning the final boulder route. The young Japanese sport climbing star claimed his second career boulder World Cup victory, adding to his impressive collection of five overall titles. His compatriot Narasaki Meichi took home the silver medal, while Austrian veteran Jakob Schubert earned the bronze, marking his 11th in boulder competitions and 64th overall.
Anraku’s successful year culminated with a silver medal in boulder at the same event last year and his first boulder World Cup title in Innsbruck, Austria. With the support of an enthusiastic crowd, Anraku topped three of the four routes and made it to the zone on the fourth, securing his place on top of the podium.
After his win, Anraku expressed his excitement and gratitude for the milestone in his training, highlighting how it boosted his confidence as he looks forward to future competitions. Despite feeling nervous and tense during the final boulder, Anraku’s determination and skill carried him through to success.
Meanwhile, on Saturday evening at Salt Lake City’s event center, home climbers Emma Hunt and Sam Watson prepared for their speed climbing events. Watson aimed to defend his men’s world record set at 4.79 seconds last year. The women’s boulder competition was scheduled for Sunday, promising more exciting action for fans and participants alike.