CENTRAL SAANICH — The 2013 International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) 2013 World Youth Climbing Championships came to a close Monday night with the exciting finals of the lead competition.
Unlike the speed competition, which was dominated by the Russians on Sunday, medals in the lead climbing competition were distributed to climbers from a variety of countries.
Leading the pack was Team Japan who took away four medals in total including gold medals from Aika Tajima in the Female Youth B category and Naoki Shimatani in the Male Youth A category.
Also in that category was Shinichiro Nomura who won a Silver Medal and Oba Miwa who took home bronze in the Female Youth B category.
The Austrians also took home four medals, with Jessica Piltz in Female Youth A and Magdalena Rock in Female Junior taking home gold.
Katharina Posch joined Rock on the podium in Female Junior earning a silver medal, while Bernhard Rock won bronze in Male Youth A.
Team France took home three medals, with Hugo Parmentier winning silver in Male Youth B and teammates Manon Hily (Female Junior) and Julia Chanourdie (Female Youth A) winning bronze.
Next up was Team Germany with two silver medals, the first from Emillie Gerhardt in Female Youth B and the second from the colourful Sebastian Halenke in Junior Male.
Securing the final two gold Medals of the evening were Italy’s Stefano Carnati in Male Youth B and Russia’s Dmitry Fakiryanov in Junior Male.
“This was the first time that the 2013 World Youth Climbing Championships were hosted in North America and by all accounts it was an unparalleled success,” said Christian Stewart, the media contact for The Boulders.
“Over 500 people each day, 2,000 in total, attended the event and were treated to an exciting weekend of climbing from the 474 athletes in the competition.”
Web resolution photos of all the winners, including the speed winners are available on the Boulders Climbing Gym Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bouldersclimb or visit climbtheboulders.com/world-youth-championships.
— Submitted