11 March 2026

Alberto Gines Lopez climbs El Bon Combat 9b (a+)

Alberto Gines Lopez, Olympic gold medalist from Tokyo, reports on Instagram that he has repeated Chris Sharmaโ€™s El Bon Combat (9b) in Cova de l'Ocell. The Spaniard needed only six sessions and comments he thinks 9a+ is the most honest grade. (c) Tactum Studio

โ€Even though itโ€™s the first route Iโ€™ve done above 9a, I donโ€™t really feel like calling it my first 9b. It never felt like something two grades above 9a, and since it had already been downgraded, I think 9a+ is the most honest grade for me.

Like the person I look up to most in this sport once told me: โ€œGrades only work if weโ€™re honest.โ€
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