Kazuma Ise, who did two 8b+ routes being 12 and two 8B's being 15, has done his first 8C, Byaku-dou 8C (The Road to the Heaven) in Hourai. It was put up by Dai Koyamada in 2003 and has just been repeated three times. Impressively, Kazuma just needed four sessions. How come you did choose this as your first 8C, what is your next goal and your future ambition? Because mono-pocket dyno is so attractive to me. My next challenge is Vanitas 8C, Monariza 8B+ and United 8C+. I want to be able to put all my life into climbing. I want to be able to do many FAs like Daniel and Jimmy. I want to be the strongest and coolest climber in the world.

Seb Bouin reports on Insta that he has done Catxasa in Santa Linya calling it9a (+). "I used kneepads for the link, and I think the route is a bit easier with kneepads. It's maybe time to check seriously something harder. Let see how it's going." Noteworthy is that none of the previous six repeaters of the Chris Sharma FA have said it is soft. On the other hand, it seems nobody used kneepads. (c) Victor Alvarez Rodriguez In the last 12 months, Seb has now done 14 routes 9a to 9b+ which has only been beaten by Adam Ondra.

Loic Zehani, who previously has done nine FAs 9a to 9b, has done the FA of Teahupoo 9a which was bolted by his father. "The first part is vertical with a boulder problem on the first 2 meters. After that, you have a boulder section (7 moves) in overhang with an undercling up to a little two fingers pocket to get out of the roof and enter in a nice and technical wall. This route is very nice because it's very varied. It took me five days to complete this route because of the boulder section but also because of the wall section."

Jonathan Siegrist, #3 in the ranking game, has done the FA of Smoke Wagon 9a in Mt Potosi. "Finally stuck the huge move from the ground! Now it's time for the direct... Awesome project from Andy."

Martin Stráník, #2 in the World Championship in 2007, has done his fifth 8C the last year, Primitivo in Valle Bavona, meaning he has had his best year ever. In the 8a ranking game the Czech is #4. "Amazing line, hard powerful moves, fit my style very well. 2 sessions in two days."

Seb Bouin and Cedric Lachat have done Klemen Becan's Joe Mama 9a+ in Oliana. Seb has previously done 43 routes 9a and harder and Cedric 28. Picture of Lachat by Julia Cassou Bouin comments, "After a pause and a lot of easier routes as come-back, it was the time to try harder things. It’s complicated to train and to try projects. Sometimes, you feel weak and tired. But it’s fun and this is the way for me. Yesterday a lot of emulation at the crag. We climbed “Joe Mama” 9a(+) with Cédric. It was cool to share our experiences in the route." More quotes also from Lachat, who also says 9a (+), on Fanatic Climbing.

William Bosi, #9 in the Combined WC after beeing fourth twice in Lead, has done his first 9b, La Capella in Siurana. "Woo one of my dream lines, first 9b and almost sent on 2 day. Got the send on 3rd day with bad skin so I think it's soft. However, I've not climbed enough to judge..." In fact, it was the last day best day after one month in Spain with a bad storm that made most wet but a big project bolted by Adrien Boulon. "I only linked it in 3 parts." Previously the 21-year-old has done three 9a's, the last in 2018 when he also did an 8C boulder. After that, his focus has been Tokyo and there is still one chance in the European CH in Moscow. (c) Matt Bird Are you still focusing on Tokyo? How much Speed training at what is your PB? Back to training all in when I get back tomorrow. About 3-5 a day? Hard to say exactly. Speed as much as I can, hopefully, a couple days a week, 6.93

Seb Bouin has been the best route climber in 2019 with twelve routes 9a to 9b+. As a matter of a fact, his annual tick list has only been beaten by Adam Ondra. He was also appointed the sport climber of 2019 in a recent 8a poll. What does climbing mean to you? What is it you like the most? So climbing is my way of life. I can't imagine living without it at the moment. I like to be outdoors and climb on rock, hard route or not. Yeah, I like to be outside trying something hard and also to be in outstanding places. How can you explain the great progress you had in 2019? 2019 was a good year for me, I did a lot of progress in my way of seeing my global climbing and body. I understood a lot concerning prevention, injuries, mental, fail and success. Success is just a bonus of a great battle. If you take every day like that, you are going just for the fight and not the success. Paradoxically, it works very well.