Sorato Anraku only one to top all four in the semi and Mawem runner-up

Sorato Anraku (JPN) started out last in the semi, as he had won the qualification, and sent all four boulders in great style. The 16-year-old seems to be on another level as he has done throughout the whole season. By doing so he kicked out his teammate Yoshiyuki Ogata from the final, who had just sent Adam Ondra (CZE) out of the final. Both of them including also Yannick Flohé (GER), in 9th position, were all very close to sending one more boulder creating a very exciting semifinal.

Olympian Mickael Mawem (FRA), who has not made any finals in the WC in 2023, was runner-up. “They weren’t hard boulders, not hard, not physical, not small holds. You just need to climb well and have good timing and that’s what I think I have, so that’s cool, that’s good.

My goal is qualification for the Olympics and now I am in final so that is good. First step was qualification, second was semi-finals and the third step is a medal.

I’m happy because I think I’m strong mentally for the finish, the hands, for the last move on the slab. I climb a lot on the slab and doing a lot of coordination the last month and I’m happy now, not just because of the result but the way I am climbing.”

Kokoro Fujii (JPN) was third followed by Mejdi Schalck (FRA), Lee Dohyun (KOR) and Nicolai Uznik (AUT). It should be mentioned that Shauna Coxsey did her debut as a commentator and did a very nice job explaining interesting details. Complete results