Max Bertone, sibling to Oriane appointed as the 8a teenager of 2019, has done Fragile steps in Rocklands. "Second 8A+ for me this year in Rocklands! Last year I was short on the crux. One session to send the boulder this year. I do not have experience in the grade (8B in the topo), but I think that 8A+ fits more." The first 8A+, the 12-year-old, did was Leopard cave. In the video, including also Electric chopper 8A, we can see he has the same amazing foot technique, as his big sister, when it comes to heal-hocking and going feet first in roofs.

Cathy Wagner has done another two 8a+'; Rompimos el chanchito and Pot belge, both in Prat Dip. In total, the 54-year-old has done 181 routes 8a+ and harder. Including also 579 8a, she just might be the female that have done most 8a and harder. Interesting is also that she has done 58 out of them the last 12 months, meaning she has had one of her best year ever.

Irina Kuzmenko, who took the bronze in the Euro Ch. last year, has done Dreamtime stand in Cresciano. " Can't believe its happened! Did it from two small crimps without heel hooks. Honestly by my feelings with two crimps this is 8B. It was a super hard journey with blood, tears and up and downs :). It means a lot to me. I can't describe how happy I'm. " (c) Leo Zhukov

"...it was basically a flash/onsight from the first move in...

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Gabriele Moroni reports on Insta that he has done Demencia senil 9a+ in Margalef after five years of projecting. (c) Marco Zanone "December 2014... That day, I wouldn’t have ever thought I had just started such a biblical process with a lot of trips, amazing days but also some shitty ones, trashed skin, blood and countless meters of tape... But at the end it was all worth it and I have never stopped believing!..." Gabri Moroni has been an active competition climber since 2001 and in 2004, at age 16, he was #3 in the Euro Bouldering Championships. In 2009, he had his best year being #3 overall but it took until 2018, he got his first WC victory. Last year he did not have the chance to compete for Italy as they only focused on the athletes doing all three disciplines.

matteo Soule, who did his first 8b at age 10, has done his first 8c, Résistance in Cantobre. (c) Matthias Paré "It’s a huge achievement for me. My new coach asked me to test me in harder, short and powerful routes out of my comfort zone. I tried again this project in December and needed 10 tries to find the rythm of the route and to arrive fresh in the crux of “Chacaito” (ndlr 8b+)." Next up is Nadesja 8c+/9a, where he already has done all moves. Source Fanatic Climbing

IFSC reports that Japan Mountaineering and Sport Climbing Association (JMSCA) appeal at CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport). "Unanimously, the IFSC Executive Board approved a statement where they condemned the unreasonable appeal proceedings initiated by JMSCA before CAS in the strongest possible terms, as well as the inappropriate use of media communication on several occasions, causing serious damages to the sport as a whole." It seems the appeal relates to that Japan is guaranteed a host place in the Tokyo Olympics and that JMSCA wants to use this position so they can choose anyone they like. IFSC, on the other hand, has already listed the two male and female athletes that will participate. In regards to the Toulouse qualification, IFSC changed the rule very late so that Japan could send athletes to the event even if their country quota was changed. It might be that the first appeal related to that Japan could athletes to Toulouse. It should be underlined that there is no confirmation in regards to the subject of the two appeals so the above is just a speculation.

James Webb, has done his 28th 8C, Lucid Dreaming in Bishop on his ninth day. On Insta he says that this was his first hard crimp test piece he has tried as he thought he was too big for this type of boulders. " I feel like I’ve always been scared to try these types of boulders because deep down I believed I was going to fail. Sometimes though, you just want to prove to yourself that you can do it. Or at least try damn hard. ". Including also three 8C+, Jimmy is runner-up after Daniel Woods having the most impressive redpoint tick list in the world. Talking about flashes, he is a superior #1 with 117 8A to 8B including his stiff personal grades.

Michiel Nieuwenhuijsen, one of the tallest (187 cm) world class boulderers out there, has done The Story Of 2 Worlds in Cresciano. On Insta he gives some details. "Just to be clear I did it with a kneepad (and liked it this way), my first kneepad experience. Still feels like one of the hardest things I ever did. Probably even harder without the kneepad, didn't try it that way. Respect to all guys who did it OG style."