Each year, the Utah Sports Commission, in partnership with the Governor, hosts the State of Sport Awards to celebrate Utah’s sports industry and recognize excellence at the high school, collegiate, professional, and Olympic and Paralympic levels. USA Climbing is proud to announce that Brayden Butler has been named this year’s Adaptive Male Athlete of the Year.

“In a lot of sports, the pursuit is mostly personal. You do it for yourself and your own goals. But Para Climbing feels different,” Butler told us. “Every step forward you make pushes the ceiling of what people believe is possible for an entire community. That’s what makes it so meaningful to me. It’s not just about my own performance. It’s about showing what can be done and helping move that potential farther and farther forward.”

Following a motorcycle accident as a child, Butler suffered a stroke that caused left neglect, a neurological condition that affects his left side. Since then, the 19-year-old Salt Lake City local has spent four seasons representing the United States at international Para Climbing events in the RP2 category, which is limited to athletes with neurological and physical disabilities.

Butler recently enjoyed a breakthrough competition season, achieving a flurry of firsts on the global stage. In May 2025, Butler secured his first gold at the IFSC Para Climbing World Cup in Salt Lake City. Just one month later, he won his first World Cup silver at the Para Climbing World Cup in Innsbruck, Austria. Then, in September, he became World Champion at the IFSC Para Climbing World Championships in Seoul, Korea.

Earlier this month, he took silver at USA Climbing’s Para Climbing National Championships, securing his spot on the 2026 National Team once again.

The 14th Annual State of Sport Awards will take place on April 8, celebrating the achievements of Butler and other Utah athletes.

The Boulder rounds of USA Climbing’s National Team Trials Presented by The North Face concluded last night, determining which athletes will represent the United States on the 2026 Boulder National Team.

This year’s event also introduced a new format. Rather than the traditional qualification, semi-final, and final rounds where athletes are progressively eliminated, all competitors advanced through three rounds of climbing. Athletes had three opportunities to earn strong finishes, with their rank in each round contributing to their final National Team Ranking score. A first-place finish in Round 1 counted just as much as a first-place finish in Round 3, rewarding consistency and breakthrough performances across the entire competition.

Two athletes entered the competition already preselected through their Continuously Updated World Ranking: Annie Sanders on the women’s side and Colin Duffy on the men’s side. The remaining roster positions were determined through performances across the three rounds.

Women’s Boulder National Team

Melina Costanza, Nekaia Sanders, Brooke Raboutou, and Adriene Akiko Clark secured their places on the 2026 Women’s Boulder National Team following three rounds of tightly contested climbing.

Melina Costanza opened the competition with one of the strongest performances of Round 1, finishing first after topping multiple boulders early in the round. That strong start established an early advantage in the National Team Rankings.

Contanza commented on the new format, “I think that it allowed a lot of opportunities for people to get on different styles. Everyone doing every single round was long overdue. I think it was really fun and it felt almost like a camp, which was also kind of enjoyable because we got to hang out with all our friends every round.”

Adriene Akiko Clark followed with a breakthrough Round 2 performance, winning the round with impressive consistency across the five problems. Nekaia Sanders closed the competition with the strongest finish in Round 3. Brooke Raboutou also delivered steady performances throughout the competition, finishing near the top of the standings in multiple rounds to earn her position on the roster.

Across the three rounds, the women’s field showcased both rising talent and experienced international competitors as they fought for limited team positions.

Women’s Boulder National Team:
Annie Sanders (Preselected)
Melina Costanza
Nekaia Sanders
Brooke Raboutou
Adriene Akiko Clark

Men’s/Open Boulder National Team

Auggie Chi, Hugo Hoyer, Vail Everett, and Ben Hanna earned their places on the 2026 Men’s/Open Boulder National Team following three gripping rounds of competition.

Auggie Chi delivered one of the most dominant performances of the event in Round 1, winning the round after topping multiple problems with minimal attempts. That performance immediately placed him among the leaders in the National Team Ranking standings.

Chi reflected on his performance after the event. “It honestly feels unreal considering I took a decent break from competition climbing,” said Chi. “I didn’t have many expectations coming into these events but I’m proud of my results!”

Despite being preselected, Colin Duffy responded in Round 2 with a commanding performance of his own, winning the round and reinforcing his status as one of the top competitors in the field. Hugo Hoyer performed consistently strong across all three rounds and secured his National Team position with a strong finish in Round 3. Vail Everett also maintained steady performances across the rounds, including a second-place finish in Round 1 that helped secure his National Team Ranking. Ben Hanna rounded out the team with a series of consistent climbs across the competition, remaining within the top standings throughout the three rounds.

The depth of the men’s field was on full display throughout the event as experienced international competitors and rising athletes battled across three rounds.

Men’s/Open Boulder National Team:
Colin Duffy (Preselected)
Auggie Chi
Hugo Hoyer
Vail Everett
Ben Hanna

Full results from the 2026 National Team Trials Presented by The North Face are available here. Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action. You can rewatch the National Team Trials Presented by The North Face on Outside TV.

The Speed rounds of USA Climbing’s National Team Trials Presented by The North Face concluded last night, determining which athletes will represent the United States on the 2026 Speed National Team. Three athletes are preselected to the team through their Continuously Updated World Ranking: Emma Hunt on the women’s team and Samuel Watson and Zachary Hammer on the men’s team. The remaining positions were determined through performances across the three Speed rounds.

This year’s event also used a new format for Speed. In the past, athletes raced head-to-head in knockout rounds, with the climber who reached the top first advancing while the other was eliminated. At National Team Trials Presented by The North Face, however, the format for all three rounds is time-based. All athletes completed three rounds, with two races per round, and their fastest times contributed to their National Team Ranking score. Advancement was not determined by winning a race, but by recording the fastest possible time on the wall, rewarding consistency and breakthrough runs across all six attempts.

From those performances, the top athletes secured their places on the 2026 USA Climbing Speed National Team.

Women’s Speed National Team

Sophia Curcio, Isis Rothfork, Piper Kelly, and Lily Staudt earned places on the 2026 Women’s Speed National Team following three intense rounds.

Curcio continued her strong season following her victory at the 2026 YETI Climbing National Championships in Orlando just two weeks earlier. She delivered one of the most consistent performances across the competition, finishing second in both Round 1 and Round 2 before winning Round 3 with a meteoric 6.71-second run, a new personal best.

Curcio said she was most excited about her consistent performance throughout all three rounds.

“It was definitely a cherry on top to do the fast lap of the competition during the last round when I was really tired,” Curcio added.

Isis Rothfork also delivered a standout showing, winning both Round 1 and Round 2 with times in the mid-6-second range. Piper Kelly remained close behind the leaders throughout the event. A third-place finish in Round 2 and a strong second-place performance in Round 3 helped her secure a place on the team. Lily Staudt rounded out the team with steady results across the three rounds, including top three finishes in Round 1 and Round 3 that helped solidify her National Team Ranking.

Together, the group forms one of the fastest women’s speed teams the United States has fielded.

Women’s Speed National Team:
Emma Hunt (Preselected)
Sophia Curcio
Isis Rothfork
Piper Kelly
Lily Staudt

Men’s/Open Speed National Team

Michael Hom, Noah Bratschi, and Ben Jennings secured their places on the 2026 Men’s/Open Speed National Team following three rounds of intense climbing.

Ben Jennings, who won the Speed National Championship title at the 2026 YETI Climbing National Championships in Orlando two weeks earlier, opened the competition with a commanding Round 1 victory and a sharp 5.21-second run. He posted one of the top three times throughout all three rounds, securing his place on the team.

Noah Bratschi delivered one of the strongest middle-round performances of the competition, winning Round 2 with a time of 5.18 seconds before finishing second in Round 3. Those consistent results across the final two rounds boosted his National Team Ranking score and secured his spot. Michael Hom closed the competition with the fastest (and only sub-five-second) run of the entire event, winning Round 3 with a blistering 4.93-second climb. That performance helped propel him high on the National Team rankings.

Hom said he was excited about his sub-five-second run and reflected on his goals for the upcoming season:

“The goal is to try to go to as many [comps] as possible and get top 10. If I get top 10, I think I can go to the 2027 Pan American Games. And obviously that’s how you go to the Olympics.”

Across all three rounds, the men’s field showcased the growing depth of U.S. competitors as they prepare for the upcoming international season.

Men’s/Open Speed National Team:
Samuel Watson (Preselected)
Zachary Hammer (Preselected)
Michael Hom
Noah Bratschi
Ben Jennings

Full results from the 2026 National Team Trials Presented by The North Face are available here. Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action. You can rewatch the National Team Trials Presented by The North Face on Outside TV.

The Lead rounds of USA Climbing’s National Team Trials Presented by The North Face concluded last night with athletes earning their places on the 2026 Lead National Team. The event has proven to be one of the most competitive in recent memory because Olympic qualification events begin in 2027, and athletes are eager to gain international experience and position themselves early in the Olympic cycle.

This year’s event also introduced a new format. Rather than the traditional qualification, semi-final, and final rounds where athletes are progressively eliminated, all competitors advanced through three rounds of climbing. Athletes had three opportunities to earn strong finishes, with their rank in each round contributing to their final National Team Ranking score. A first-place finish in Round 1 counted just as much as a first-place finish in Round 3, rewarding consistency and breakthrough performances across the entire competition.

From those performances, the top athletes secured their places on the 2026 USA Climbing Lead National Team.

Women’s Lead National Team

Brooke Raboutou, Ella Fisher, Analise Van Hoang, and Adriene Akiko Clark earned their places on the 2026 Women’s Lead National Team after three tightly contested rounds.

Raboutou and Fisher immediately set themselves apart in Round 1. Both athletes were the only climbers in the field to top both routes. Those performances gave them crucial National Team Ranking points heading into the later rounds. Raboutou continued to demonstrate control throughout the event. She reached the high point in Round 2, maintaining her lead heading into the final round. In Round 3, she once again delivered under pressure, topping the route to secure the top overall National Team Ranking score.

Raboutou reflected on returning to National Team Trials after several years of preselection through international results.

“This year was really different for me,” Raboutou said. “I’ve been preselected since 2019. It was always the plan that I was gonna take a year off and that meant starting back at zero. It started with a bit of nerves at Nationals, and I think throughout each climb and each round, I gained confidence. It’s been great to be back in the atmosphere.”

Fisher also remained a constant presence near the top of the leaderboard. After her dominant Round 1 performance, she followed with a strong Round 2 climb to hold second place before finishing Round 3 with another top, reinforcing her position among the nation’s strongest lead competitors.

Behind the leading pair, Analise Van Hoang and Adriene Akiko Clark delivered critical performances. Van Hoang climbed consistently across all three rounds, including a standout Round 1 showing where she pushed high on both routes to finish third overall in the round. Clark similarly built momentum throughout the competition, reaching the upper sections of the routes in each round and maintaining a competitive ranking across the event.

With strong results across all three rounds, the four climbers secured the highest National Team Ranking scores and earned their positions representing the United States in international lead competitions this season. That’s alongside Annie Sanders, who was already preselected due to her Continuously Updated World Ranking.

Women’s Lead National Team:
Annie Sanders (Preselected)
Brooke Raboutou
Ella Fisher
Analise Van Hoang
Adriene Akiko Clark

Men’s/Open Lead National Team

The Men’s/Open field delivered equally dramatic competition, with Colin Duffy, Jesse Grupper, Sergey Lakhno, Ross Fulkerson, and Dillon Countryman earning spots on the 2026 Lead National Team.

Jesse Grupper opened the competition with a commanding Round 1 performance, finishing first after topping one route and reaching high on the other. His strong start placed him in an excellent position within the National Team Ranking standings from the beginning.

Round 2 produced one of the most decisive moments of the event. Sergey Lakhno was the only athlete in the field to reach the top of the route, separating himself from the rest of the competitors and earning a crucial victory in the round. Colin Duffy demonstrated exceptional consistency across all three rounds. After placing second in Round 1 and again finishing near the top in Round 2, he delivered the highest point of Round 3, to secure the round win. His ability to remain competitive in every round ultimately earned him the top overall National Team Ranking score.

Duffy said the competition format and recent events helped him prepare for the international season ahead, and highlighted how the new structure rewards consistent performance across the entire competition.

“I think it’s good for selecting the best athletes,” he said. “Being rewarded for your qualification and semi-final performance is something that should be valued. This new format was really decisive in building a strong team.”

Ross Fulkerson also maintained steady performances throughout the competition, placing near the top of the standings in each round, including a strong Round 3 climb that kept him within the leading group. Dillon Countryman rounded out the team with a series of solid performances across the event, highlighted by a fourth-place finish in Round 1 and another competitive showing in Round 2 that kept him in contention for a National Team position.

With the points from all three rounds combined, the five athletes secured the highest National Team Ranking scores and earned their places on the 2026 USA Climbing Lead National Team.

Men’s/Open Lead National Team:
Colin Duffy
Jesse Grupper
Sergey Lakhno
Ross Fulkerson
Dillon Countryman

Full results from the 2026 National Team Trials Presented by The North Face are available here. Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action. You can rewatch the National Team Trials Presented by The North Face on Outside TV.

The 2026 National Team Trials Presented by The North Face kicks off this week at Portland Rock Gym in Portland, OR!

For those interested in joining the action live, limited spectator tickets are available. The Second and Third Rounds will also stream live on Outside TV, starting at 10:00 a.m. PST on Thursday, March 5 with Lead Round 2. In the booth providing commentary will be Meagan Martin, who competed at National-and-International-level competitions for nearly two decades.

How To Watch (all times PST)

Thursday, March 5
10:00 a.m. | Lead Round 2 – LIVE on Outside TV
5:00 p.m. | Lead Round 3 – LIVE on Outside TV

Friday, March 6
6:40 p.m. | Speed Round 3 – LIVE on Outside TV

Sunday, March 8
10:00 a.m. | Boulder Round 2 – LIVE on Outside TV
6:00 p.m. | Boulder Round 3 – LIVE on Outside TV

Para Climbing National Champions were crowned at the 2026 Para Climbing National Championships, where coveted spots on USA Climbing’s 2026 National Team were also on the line. Those athletes will represent the United States internationally at World Climbing Para Series events later this year.

It marked the first National Championships since the International Paralympic Committee confirmed Para Climbing’s medal events for the Paralympic Games Los Angeles 2028. With LA28 now in sight, the announcement has intensified competition across categories, as athletes eager to compete on the world’s biggest stage also look to secure National Team selection and gain critical international experience.

The Qualification rounds brought 139 of the nation’s top athletes to Momentum Climbing in Katy, Texas, with 105 advancing to the Finals. Among them were 15 of last year’s National Champions, each aiming to defend their titles.

W-B1: Lakrout Defends Her Title

Emeline Lakrout delivered another impressive performance in Katy. After a dominant win last year, she returned to post a 7-point lead, once again securing the title of National Champion.

W-B1 Podium:

Emeline Lakrout
Gina Applebee
Ashley Colburn

W-B1 2026 National Team:

Emeline Lakrout
Gina Applebee
Ashley Colburn

W-B2: Biendarra On Top Again

Seneida Biendarra, already a National and World Champion, added another gold medal to her collection with a score of 39+.

“I’m really proud of how the routesetters have made these routes more challenging for the B category, but also keep it engaging,” Biendarra said after her win. “The routes are what keep me coming back.”

W-B2 Podium:

Seneida Biendarra (Preselected)
Jessica Semmel

W-B2 2026 National Team:

Seneida Biendarra
Jessica Semmel

W-B3: Poston Defends Their Title

Linn Poston saw continued success in W-B3. After earning their first World Championships win this past fall, Poston once again reached the highest point on the Final route in Katy, successfully defending their National Championship title.

W-B3 Podium:

Linn Poston
Phoebe Barkan
Amy Mullins

W-B3 2026 National Team:

Linn Poston (Preselected)
Phoebe Barkan
Amy Mullins
Brooklelyn Kelly

W-AL1: Cook Wins Gold in Epic Tie-Breaker

The W-AL1 category delivered one of the tightest finishes of the weekend. Carlie Cook and Brittany Chadbourne both posted scores of 33+, forcing a time-based tie-breaker. Cook reached that score 35 seconds faster, allowing her to defend her National Championship title.

“Brittany and I are super close. It’s super fun to be so neck and neck,” Cook said after her win.

W-AL1 Podium:

Carlie Cook
Brittany Chadbourne

W-AL1 2026 National Team:

Carlie Cook
Brittany Chadbourne

W-AL2: Soria Reclaims Gold

After winning in 2024 and skipping last year’s event, Cail Soria returned for the gold. While much of the field fell in the same section, she established a 6-point lead to reclaim the National Championship title.

“I put in a lot of work and took a year off to really grind,” Soria said after the win. “I’m really happy it paid off. I’m looking forward to the (World Climbing Para Series) and climbing really hard outside.”

W-AL2 Podium:

Cail Soria
Emily Gray
Kira Brazinski

W-AL2 2026 National Team:

Daliya Hansen (Preselected)
Cail Soria
Kira Brazinski
Kaitlyn Truscott

W-AU2: Rubin Breaks Through, Wins Gold

Eleanor Rubin was due for a gold medal win following her bronze medal at the World Championships and silver medal at the National Championships last year. W-AU2 was another fiercely competitive category, with a number of past National Champions, including Maureen (Mo) Beck, returning to make their claim.

In the end, Rubin led the group, reaching hold 45 to secure the title.

“This is my fifth National Championships, and I’ve won four silvers.” Rubin said after her win. “I feel like it could have been anyone’s day. I climbed the best I’ve ever climbed and I’m really happy.”

W-AU2 Podium:

Eleanor Rubin
Isabel Benvenuti
Maureen Beck

W-AU2 2026 National Team:

Eleanor Rubin (Preselected)
Isabel Benvenuti
Maureen Beck
Josephine Fouts

W-AU3: Morningstar Makes Golden Debut

WanYing Morningstar quickly made a name for herself at her first National Championships, securing an immense 12-point lead to claim gold.

W-AU3 Podium:

WanYing Morningstar
Veronica Sturman
Jamie Schanbaum

W-AU3 2026 National Team:

WanYing Morningstar
Veronica Sturman
Jamie Schanbaum

W-RP1: Stewart Earns First National Title

Jackie Stewart climbed confidently to a score of 49, earning her first National Championship victory.

“I want to keep working on my skills and the mental aspect of it,” Stewart said after her win. “Hopefully, my long-term goal is LA28!”

W-RP1 Podium:

Jackie Stewart
Hannah Zook
Natalie Sullivan

W-RP1 2026 National Team:

Melissa Ruiz (Preselected)
Jackie Stewart
Hannah Zook
Natalie Sullivan

W-RP2: Seelenfreund Can’t Stop Winning

After a breakthrough 2025 season that included both National and World Championships titles, Emily Seelenfreund was the only athlete in her category to top the Final route, defending her championship in style.

“It feels really good. Winning in Seoul (World Championships) kind of took the pressure off a little bit and let me have fun on the wall,” Seelenfreund said after her win. “I climb my best when I’m having fun!”

W-RP2 Podium:

Emily Seelenfreund
Megan Gleason
Anna DeVries

W-RP2 2026 National Team:

Emily Seelenfreund (Preselected)
Megan Gleason
Anna DeVries
Beki Roberts

W-RP3: Vorel Returns for Gold

Nat Vorel, the reigning 2025 National Champion and recent World Championships silver medalist, continued their momentum with another decisive win in Katy.

“It’s about how well I climb, not how I place,” Vorel said after their win. “I want to climb the best I can–that’s the main goal.”

W-RP3 Podium:

Nat Vorel
Lindsay Purcell
Crystal Martin

W-RP3 2026 National Team:

Nat Vorel (Preselected)
Lindsay Purcell
Crystal Martin
Kaitlyn Dotson

W-Youth: Kennedy Wins in Nationals Debut

Natalie Kennedy impressed in her first Para Nationals appearance, securing a 7-point lead to claim gold.

W-Youth Podium:

Natalie Kennedy
Evangeline Crossman
Mei Krause

W-Youth 2026 National Team:

Natalie Kennedy
Evangeline Crossman
Mei Krause

W-Intermediate: O’Flanagan Breaks Tie for Gold

Laura O’Flanagan had an exciting first National Championships, matching Emyle Watkins’ score of 29+, but breaking that tie with a faster time to secure the win.

W-Intermediate Podium:

Laura O’Flanagan
Emyle Watkins
Madeleine Yy-Phelps

W-Advanced: Heaton Narrowly Secures Gold

Last year, Laura Heaton left the National Championships with a silver medal. This year, she and Jillian Kozyra both reached hold 34, but Heaton earned a plus, showing movement past the hold, and earning her the win.

W-Advanced Podium:

Laura Heaton
Jillian Kozyra
Michelle Patten

M/O-B1: Proctor Returns as National Champion

Justen Proctor returned to the National Championships and reached hold 21, one move beyond Eric Strong, to reclaim the title he last won in 2023.

“I’m just excited that the sport is continuing to grow,” Proctor said after his win. “I hate talking about myself… But I’m happy!”

M/O-B1 Podium:

Justen Proctor
Eric Strong NT
Ben Schuler

M/O-B1 2026 National Team:

Justen Proctor
Eric Strong NT
Ben Schuler

M/O-B2: Fralick Wins Gold

In his second National Championships appearance, Gordon Fralick climbed confidently to a score of 25, securing gold in his category.

M/O-B2 Podium:

Gordon Fralick

M/O-B2 2026 National Team:

Gordon Fralick

M/O-B3: Martinez Defends His Title

Andrew Martinez followed up his National Championships win last year with another gold-medal performance, climbing to 31+ to defend his title.

“I’m getting more used to the pressure and starting to feel a lot more comfortable on the wall,” Martinez said after his win. “I’m really excited to keep representing Team USA.”

M/O-B3 Podium:

Andrew Martinez
Rayaan Hassan Mohammadi
Max Gayford

M/O-B3 2026 National Team:

Andrew Martinez
Rayaan Hassan Mohammadi
Max Gayford

M/O-AL1: First-Timer McDonald Wins Gold

Caleb McDonald made his National Championships debut count, reaching the highest point on the Final route by more than 10 holds to earn his first title.

“It’s just good to be here. It’s fun to be a part of this community,” McDonald said after his win. “I’m just hoping to get outside and climb on some real rock!”

M/O-AL1 Podium:

Caleb McDonald
Jake Frank
Maurice Ewing

M/O-AL1 2026 National Team:

Caleb McDonald
Jake Frank
Maurice Ewing

M/O-AL2: Zilz Reclaims Gold

The largest category of the weekend delivered a tight battle. Ethan Zilz, Lee Shaffer, and Corey Ramos all reached hold 33, but Zilz and Shaffer earned pluses. Zilz reached that hold the fastest, reclaiming his National Championships title.

“It feels amazing. You’re constantly keeping track of the other athletes and knowing where you stand,” Zilz said after his win. “It feels great to come out on top at this one. The Paralympics are coming up so that’s obviously on my mind as well!”

M/O-AL2 Podium:

Ethan Zilz
Lee Shaffer
Corey Ramos

M/O-AL2 2026 National Team:

Corey Ramos (Preselected)
Ethan Zilz
Lee Shaffer
Corey Ramos

M/O-AU2: Zarzuela Leads Again

Brian Zarzuela once again proved dominant, finishing with a score of 42+ and a 7-point lead to secure another National Championships victory.

“The route was really amazing–the crowd was really amazing. It felt kind of surreal,” Zarzuela said after his fourth-consecutive win. “I came out here with the intention of winning and it feels really good to have accomplished that.”

M/O-AU2 Podium:

Brian Zarzuela
Chris Brelsford
Trevor Smith

M/O-AU2 2026 National Team:

Brian Zarzuela (Preselected)
Chris Brelsford
Trevor Smith
Mo Keller

M/O-AU3: Keough Wins by Seconds

Last year, Mason Keough made an impressive debut, winning gold at his first-ever National Championships. This year, he and Nathan McKinley fought for the lead, both earning a score of 44. Keough, however, did so 28 seconds faster, defending his title.

“I feel like there’s a lot stiffer competition this year,” Keough said after his win. “Not to say that last year didn’t feel good, but this one feels really good because I had to bring my a-game.”

M/O-AU3 Podium:

Mason Keough
Nathan McKinley
Tyler Brooks

M/O-AU3 2026 National Team:

Mason Keough (Preselected)
Nathan McKinley
Tyler Brooks
Benen Parlmer

M/O-RP1: Lynch Break Through

Matthew Lynch powered through the crux section that stopped much of the field, building a 9-point lead to capture gold.

“It felt so good because my feet were just… I don’t even know what they were doing,” Lynch said after his win. “Once I was able to get my left arm over that hold, I was able to breathe for a second. I was really happy.”

M/O-RP1 Podium:

Matthew Lynch
Paul Martin
Sunny Yang

M/O-RP1 2026 National Team:

Matthew Lynch
Paul Martin
Sunny Yang

M/O-RP2: Mayforth Dominates with 10-Point Lead

After narrowly missing gold last year, Ben Mayforth returned with authority. His strength through the steepest section of the route earned him a 10-point lead and the National Championships title.

“I took a lot of time to really work on myself and figure out what was happening–where I was having inconsistencies,” Mayforth said after his win. “When I was getting to the campus part, I was just like, ‘This is the fun part… Do your Ben Mayforth thing and have fun with it.’”

M/O-RP2 Podium:

Ben Mayforth
Brayden Butler
Johnny Quintana

M/O-RP2 2026 National Team:

Ben Mayforth (Preselected)
Brayden Butler
Johnny Quintana
Jeffrey Mellenthin

M/O-RP3: Gleason Defends His Title

Ian Gleason backed up last year’s dominant performance with another victory, successfully defending his National Championship title.

M/O-RP3 Podium:

Ian Gleason
Teddy Westrick
Oliver Carnazzo

M/O-RP3 2026 National Team:

Ian Gleason
Teddy Westrick
Oliver Carnazzo

M/O-Youth: Wakefield Wins with Only Top

Taiten Wakefield had the crowd screaming in Katy, securing the only top in his category and winning gold.

M/O-Youth Podium:

Taiten Wakefield
Watson Armstrong
Nicolas Previtali

M/O-Youth 2026 National Team:

Taiten Wakefield
Watson Armstrong
Nicolas Previtali

M/O-Advanced: Rooney Returns for Gold

After earning silver last year, Killian Rooney returned with a 14-point lead to claim this year’s National Championships title.

M/O-Advanced Podium:

Killian Rooney
Stephen Sattel
Dan Baker

The top 3 US citizens from each National Team Qualifying Category, plus any Para Climbing Team Pre-Selected athletes, will join the 2026 National Team, representing the United States this year at World Climbing Para Series competitions.

Full results from the 2026 Para Climbing National Championships can be found here. You can rewatch the Final round on Outside TV.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

The 2026 Para Climbing National Championships kick off this week at Momentum Climbing in Katy, TX! With over 140 athletes registered, we’re excited to welcome back at least 15 National Champions from 2025 to this year’s Para Climbing National Championships.

For those interested in joining the action live, limited spectator tickets are available. The Finals will also stream live on Outside TV, starting at 11:00 a.m. EST on Sunday, March 1 with Finals.

How To Watch (all times EST)

Sunday, March 1
11:00 a.m. | Finals – LIVE on Outside TV

The 2026 YETI Climbing National Championships came to a gripping finale last night in Orlando, Florida, as Boulder National Champions were crowned before a sold-out crowd.

Of the 151 elite athletes who competed in the Boulder Qualification rounds, just 18 advanced to the Finals. That group included two Olympians (Natalia Grossman and Brooke Raboutou), three former Boulder National Champions (Melina Costanza, Vail Everett, and Natalia Grossman), and three Elite National Championships first-timers (Landers Gaydosh, Kailyn Leong, and KM Suleman).

Grossman Wins Gold in Women’s Boulder

Natalia Grossman, having claimed the final spot in the Women’s Final after appeal concluded, was first out of the gate. She spent much of the earlier rounds making careful decisions in hopes of not aggravating a shoulder injury. She partially dislocated that shoulder earlier this year and expressed uncertainty about her level of participation at the National Championships just days before they began.

Much to the crowd’s excitement, she set the tone for the round with a quick flash of the first boulder. Only one other competitor, Melina Costanza, topped that problem. Costanza, the 2024 Boulder National Champion, carried contagious excitement throughout the round, smiling after every attempt. After securing her first top, she reached the 10 hold on the second, third, and fourth boulders, more than most of the field.

Brooke Raboutou, who became the 2026 Lead National Champion just three days earlier, quickly topped the second and fourth boulders, sending the crowd into applause.

Grossman returned to flash the third and fourth boulders, looking more confident than she had all weekend. By the time she executed the technical footwork on the fourth boulder and secured the top hold, her title as National Champion was sealed.

Grossman shed tears as the crowd roared, and several friends from the Semi-Final confirmed her victory with excited nods.

Raboutou’s two tops earned her the silver medal, while Costanza claimed bronze.

“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to compete or not and I decided I was just going to show up and look at the boulders. And they were probably the most shoulder friendly boulders we’ve had all weekend,” Grossman shared after her win. “It was pretty freeing. Lots of sobbing has happened in this competition, lots of emotions.”

Women’s Boulder Podium:
Natalia Grossman
Brooke Raboutou
Melina Costanza

Hoyer Wins Gold in Men’s/Open Boulder

The Men’s/Open Final featured an exciting mix of competitors, with Auggie Chi and Landers Gaydosh both making their first Elite National Championships Final appearances, while climbers like Hugo Hoyer and Sergey Lakhno looked to return to the national podium.

Compared to the women’s round, success was measured in moves rather than tops for the men. Lakhno reached just one 10 hold across the first three boulders but secured a crucial flash on the fourth, putting him ahead of most finalists.

Cozmo Rothfork didn’t earn a top but delivered consistency, reaching the 10 hold on all four boulders. He was the only competitor to do so.

Hoyer, who was the 2023 Lead National Champion and has stood on both National Championships and National Team Trials Boulder podiums multiple times since, appeared composed throughout the round.

“I knew (the boulders) were hard because of how few people were coming back early,” Hoyer told us. “I knew that I prepared well, so if the boulders are going to be hard for me they’re probably going to be hard for a lot of people.”

Hoyer reached the 10 hold on the first two boulders, then secured one of only two tops in the round on the fourth boulder. That performance earned him the gold medal and the title of Boulder National Champion.

Rothfork took silver, while Lakhno earned bronze.

“It feels like it’s the last thing that I haven’t done. I’ve never been Boulder National Champion,” Hoyer said after his win.

Men’s Boulder Podium:
Hugo Hoyer
Cozmo Rothfork
Sergey Lakhno

Full results from the 2026 YETI National Championships can be found here. You can rewatch the Semi-Final and Final rounds on Outside TV.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

Excitement swelled Friday night as the 2026 Speed National Champions were crowned. 52 of the best Speed athletes in the country made the trip to Orlando, Florida, and just 16 advanced to the Finals.

Among them were Olympian Piper Kelly and three past Speed National Champions: Merritt Ernsberger, Isis Rothfork, and Michael Hom. The Finals field also featured three Elite National Championships first-timers (Jaden Chin, Renata Podlesny, and Olivia Yandora), showcasing the rising talent in the discipline.

Jennings Wins Gold in Men’s/Open Speed

Personal bests continued to fall as the Men’s/Open Finalists consistently sprinted up the 15-meter Speed wall in just over five seconds. In the ¼ Final, Noah Bratschi posted the fastest time of the round at 5.10 seconds. He matched that time again in the ½ Final, advancing to the Big Final against Ben Jennings.

In the Big Final, Jennings delivered when it mattered most, also stopping the clock at 5.10 seconds while Bratschi slipped mid-run. The result earned Jennings the gold medal and Bratschi silver, marking Jennings’ first National Championship title.

In the Small Final, William Eaton beat Jaden Chin by just five milliseconds to claim the bronze medal.

“I’m over the moon… kind of speechless. I’m not sure it’s fully processed yet,” Jennings told us after the round. “A domestic win under my belt feels really good especially after the last World Cup season.”

Men’s Speed Podium:
Ben Jennings
Noah Bratschi
William Eaton

Curcio Wins Gold in Women’s Speed

Fierce competition continued in the Women’s Final, with races again separated by fractions of a second. In the ½ Final, Piper Kelly set the round’s fastest time at just 7.20 seconds. That was matched by Sophia Curcio, pitting the two against each other for the Big Final.

In that final race, Curcio delivered the fastest time of the night, stopping the clock at 6.95 seconds, a personal best in competition. The performance earned her the gold medal and her first National Championship title, while Kelly secured silver.

In the Small Final, Kayleigh Borek defeated Madi Walsh by just 10 milliseconds to take bronze.

“I was always a really consistent athlete, but it was hard to balance getting faster and consistent at the same time,” Curcio told us after her win. “Times just keep dropping so you really have to compete with great people out there.”

Women’s Speed Podium:
Sophia Curcio
Piper Kelly
Kayleigh Borek

Full results from the 2026 YETI National Championships can be found here. You can rewatch the Semi-Final and Final rounds on Outside TV.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

Lead National Champions were crowned today at the 2026 YETI Climbing National Championships.

The Lead Qualification rounds welcomed 125 of the nation’s top athletes to High Point Climbing and Fitness in Orlando, Florida, with just 50 advancing to the Lead Semi-Finals and 10 earning spots in the Lead Finals.

This has proven to be one of the most competitive National Championships in recent memory. In part, that’s because many Olympians are no longer preselected to USA Climbing’s National Team and must now earn their spots on the 2026 roster. The Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 are also driving motivation. With Olympic qualification events beginning in 2027, athletes are eager to gain international experience and position themselves early in the Olympic cycle.

Raboutou Wins Gold in Women’s Lead

The sold-out crowd roared as some of the most recognizable names in climbing took the stage. The Women’s Final included two Olympians, Kyra Condie and Brooke Raboutou, and two Elite National Championships first-timers, KM Suleman and Evelyn Orton. That’s on top of athletes like Analise Van Hoang, who has been steadily building her medal count.

The Final route had a clear point of separation, with six of the 10 climbers falling at the exact same move while trying to cross off hold 18. Alexandra Inghilterra was the first to unlock it, standing tall for a controlled cross to hold 19 and ultimately finishing with a score of 24+. Analise Van Hoang brought a different style, “double clutching” and cutting her feet to catch holds 19 and 20 almost simultaneously, ultimately finishing with a score of 34+.

Brooke Raboutou planted her feet and gracefully crossed to hold 19, then powered through to the route’s headwall. She gave the crowd hope for the first top but ultimately fell from the final hold, finishing with a score of 46. That effort earned her the gold medal, with Van Hoang and Inghilterra claiming silver and bronze, respectively. Somewhat surprisingly, it was Raboutou’s first time winning a National Championship, despite her countless international successes.

“I tried to take the same mentality that I take into international competitions into this one,” Raboutou told us after her win. “We’re here to push ourselves, but we’re also here to have fun and bring the community together. I’m proud to be a part of it, and it was a really great event.”

Women’s Lead Podium:
Brooke Raboutou
Analise Van Hoang
Alexandra Inghilterra

Duffy Wins Gold in Men’s/Open Lead

The Men’s/Open category also welcomed a star-studded field of competitors. Olympians Nathaniel Coleman, Colin Duffy, and Jesse Grupper all stepped up for their first National Championships in years, while past National Champions like Vail Everett and Dillon Countryman fought to return to the podium.

Grupper kicked things off with an impressive performance, fighting through much of the steepest terrain and setting a high point (28) that held through two more performances. Eventually, Countryman climbed even higher, nearly clearing the steep section before falling on the move to hold 34 at the lip of the headwall, earning a score of 33+.

Duffy became the first to conquer the steep, powerful middle section and give the crowd a look at the final headwall. He moved deliberately through volumes and dual-texture macros before failing to match two small crimps (holds 47 and 48).

That performance secured Duffy the gold medal, with Countryman and Grupper claiming silver and bronze, respectively. This marks just Duffy’s second National Championship title and his first as Lead National Champion.

“It feels so good. (It was) a huge break since my last Nationals,” Duffy told us after his win. “I climbed better than I could’ve imagined this weekend, and the atmosphere was really great.”

Men’s/Open Lead Podium:
Colin Duffy
Dillon Countryman
Jesse Grupper

Full results from the 2026 YETI National Championships can be found here. You can rewatch the Semi-Final and Final rounds on Outside TV.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

USA Climbing is deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Keith Ferguson, who led the organization from 2008 to 2012. Keith’s tenure marked a pivotal chapter in USA Climbing’s history, as the organization evolved to better support athletes on the international stage while elevating its premier events across the United States.

When Keith joined the organization, American athletes were standing on World Cup podiums, the International Federation of Sport Climbing (now World Climbing) was pushing for Olympic inclusion, and the sport was rapidly expanding its reach. Drawing on his experience at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and in professional sports, Keith elevated the production value of major events, led the development of the Unified Bouldering Series, and centralized registration for championship-level events, creating structure and consistency for athletes and their families.

Working closely with the International Federation of Sport Climbing and the Pan American Council, Keith was a staunch advocate for the sport and its athletes. Today, as climbing looks towards the Olympic and Paralympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (where Sport Climbing will feature three standalone medals and Para Climbing will make its Paralympic debut), we recognize that Keith’s efforts helped lay the foundation for that progress.

Pete Torcicollo, who served as President of USA Climbing during Keith’s tenure, recalls Keith as generous and big-hearted, with an email signature that read, “Sport Changes Lives.”

“Keith was one of the best people you could ever meet,” Torcicollo said. “His unwavering commitment to putting USA Climbing and its athletes on the international stage helped shape the trajectory of our sport in this country. The world really lost one of the good ones.”

On behalf of the entire USA Climbing community, we extend our deepest condolences to Keith’s family and loved ones.

Salt Lake City, Utah (February 10, 2026) – USA Climbing today announced a new multi-year partnership with Walltopia, naming the global leader in climbing wall design and manufacturing as the Official Climbing Wall of USA Climbing.

Through the partnership, Walltopia will support USA Climbing’s events, training environments, and athlete development, also serving as the Official Training Board Frame and Official Permanent Padding of USA Climbing. The collaboration will play a key role in preparing U.S. athletes for the highest level of competition, especially as USA Climbing plans to open a new National Training Center and send a full team of athletes to the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

With decades of experience, Walltopia delivers innovative indoor and outdoor rope and boulder walls, IFSC-certified speed walls, adjustable-angle and training boards, kids climbing walls, and safety add-ons.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Walltopia as the Official Climbing Wall of USA Climbing,” said Marc Norman, President and CEO of USA Climbing. “Their expertise aligns perfectly with our mission, and will help provide the best possible terrain for our athletes. This partnership will ensure our athletes are training and competing on walls that reflect the highest international standards.”

“Walltopia is excited to see this partnership come together. Having seen how competition climbing has evolved over the years, it’s inspiring to partner with USA Climbing at such a defining moment for the sport in the U.S.,” said Adam Koberna, President of Walltopia USA. “This long-term collaboration allows us to look beyond individual events and focus on what matters most—growing the sport for all, supporting athletes, routesetters, and events, and helping define the future of competition climbing.”

The partnership underscores USA Climbing’s continued commitment to professionalizing its events and infrastructure as the organization prepares for upcoming Olympic cycles and works to grow the sport nationwide.

To learn more about Walltopia, visit walltopia.com.

The 2026 YETI National Championships kick off this week at High Point in Orlando, FL! 249 registered athletes will compete for the title of National Champion in the Boulder, Lead, and Speed categories.

For those interested in joining the action live, limited spectator tickets are available. The Semi-Finals and Finals will also stream live on Outside TV, starting at 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday, February 12 with Lead Semi-Finals. In the booth providing commentary will be Meagan Martin, who competed at National-and-International-level competitions for nearly two decades.

How To Watch (all times EST)

Thursday, February 12
10:00 a.m. | Lead Semi-Finals – LIVE on Outside TV
6:00 p.m. | Lead Finals – LIVE on Outside TV

Friday, February 13
6:00 p.m. | Speed Finals – LIVE on Outside TV

Sunday, February 15
10:00 a.m. | Boulder Semi-Finals – LIVE on Outside TV
6:00 p.m. | Boulder Finals – LIVE on Outside TV

As Climbing looks forward to its third Olympic appearance, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board recently announced the qualification process for Boulder, Lead, and Speed athletes.

That includes clear quotas and qualification events for the 76 climbers who will eventually compete at the Long Beach Climbing Theater in 2028.

Qualification Events and Quotas

Beginning in 2027, athletes will have chances to qualify at Continental events, World Climbing Championships, and the Olympic Qualifier Series. There is also one place per gender, per discipline available for the host nation, USA, and one Universality place.

The qualification events include:

• European Games, Istanbul, Turkey, June 2027 [Dates TBD]
• Pan American Games, Lima, Peru, July 2027 [Dates TBD]
• World Climbing Championships – Brno, Czechia, August 2027
• World Climbing Africa Qualifier [Location and dates TBD]
• World Climbing Asia Qualifier [Location and dates TBD]
• World Climbing Oceania Qualifier [Location and dates TBD]
• Olympic Qualifier Series 2028 – The Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) is planned to have three events with dates and locations confirmed at a later date.

World Climbing’s qualification events in 2027 will account for roughly 50% of the LA28 quota, with a single qualification place available at each event.

After that, the OQS will allocate the remaining places: a minimum of four each for Boulder and Lead, and six for Speed.

There will be a minimum of 12 men and 12 women competing in Boulder and Lead. Speed will be restricted to 14 spots for each gender.

Each National Olympic Committee (NOC) will have a quota limit of two climbers per gender, per discipline, and the total number of athletes across the climbing competitions will never exceed 76.

Cross Qualification

If a climber qualifies in both Boulder and Lead, the number of competing athletes in one of the disciplines will increase. The spot that they gain in the two disciplines will only count as one entry (in the total quota counting of Climbing), therefore maintaining the total number of 76 athletes allocated to Climbing by the IOC.

This, however, is still restricted by the two-athlete NOC entry limit meaning no more than two climbers from the same country can compete in a discipline.

This cross qualification does not affect the Speed discipline as the Olympic rules and format are set to 14 competing athletes. Additional climbers can be accommodated in the Boulder and Lead formats, but not in Speed.

How We Got Here

At Tokyo 2020, Sport Climbing’s Olympic debut, athletes competed in one combined format offering one set of medals per gender. At Paris 2024, athletes competed in a Speed event and a combined Boulder & Lead event, doubling the number of medals from Tokyo. The Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 will be the first to offer three sets of medals per gender, allowing athletes to specialize in each of the three disciplines.

Climbing is one of 22 qualification systems recently approved by the IOC Executive Board for LA28.

World Climbing is responsible for establishing its sports rules for participation in the Olympic Games, including qualification criteria in accordance with the Olympic Charter. Those criteria must be submitted to the IOC EB for approval.

The systems are based on the successful, well-established pathways in place for Paris 2024 and previous Olympic Games. Recommendations from the Paris 2024 debrief process – conducted with NOCs, IFs, the IOC and other stakeholders – have been applied where feasible.

The LA28 qualification systems ensure athletes have multiple opportunities to qualify, maintain continental and universal representation, and aim to minimize travel demands for athletes and teams.

USA Climbing is proud to announce the election results for its Athletes’ Commission! Ben Mayforth and Adam Payne will fill the two Para Climbing athlete positions, following voting from fellow athletes.

Both Mayforth and Payne represented the United States during the 2025 IFSC Para Climbing World Cup season and, collectively, they bring 20 years of Para Climbing competition experience.

All USA Climbing Committees and their members can be found here.

Team USA delivered a standout performance at the IFSC Pan American Cup in Armenia. 30 athletes competed over the holiday week, finishing the competition on Thanksgiving Day and earning podiums across Boulder, Lead, and Speed.

Podium Sweep in both Boulder and Lead for U.S. Women

Natalia Grossman returns to the world stage from a torn ACL and meniscus injury to win a decisive gold medal in Boulder, sharing the podium with fellow teammates Nekaia Sanders and Maya Madere.

Grossman told us that she began the competition week under pressure to perform, but now sees the “bigger picture.”

“I’m really proud of how far I’ve come since my injury. Traveling to a new country for this competition with the team was so special,” Grossman said, “and getting to compete with Nekaia, who is a good friend of mine, at our first international competition together and then finishing 1 and 2 was the cherry on top!”

The win signals Grossman’s return to top form and capped a dominant day for the U.S. women, who claimed the top six positions in Boulder. Sanders took silver with 54.4 points, rebounding from a slower semi-final with a strong finish. Madere climbed from 9th in qualification to secure bronze with 54.4 points, matching Sanders’ final score and earning third on countback. Ella Fisher and Sovarae Sanders rounded out the top five in 4th and 5th. Also representing Team USA were Analise Van Hoang in 6th and Jojo Chi in 16th.

Team USA’s momentum carried straight into the Lead event just as the temperatures cooled but humidity climbed to the week’s highest point. After a heartbreaking bottleneck in the semi-final round that dropped the first half-dozen athletes at draw 5, Olivia Ma secured her first IFSC gold after becoming the only athlete to top the semi-final route.

Behind her, Ella Fisher earned silver and Analise Van Hoang took bronze, marking another full U.S. sweep of the podium. Zoe Yi and Maya Madere closed out the round strong in sixth and seventh.

Beauchamp Takes Bronze as U.S. Men Place Three in Top Five

The U.S. men delivered a composed and competitive showing in the Boulder finals, placing three athletes in the top five.

Brenden Beauchamp led the team with a bronze medal, scoring 52.1 points after a strong semi-final and consistent performance in finals. This is his first podium finish on a world stage.

“I’m really happy with my placement, it feels good to see the work start paying off. Standing on the podium at PanAms was a great confidence boost,” said Beauchamp.

Looking ahead, Beauchamp said he hopes to make Team USA again in the next season and wishes to continue testing himself against the best in the country, and the world.

In the top five, Team USA athletes Joshua Gerhardt and Ben Hanna followed close behind in 4th and 5th.

Patajo Wins Women’s Speed; Mai and Vales Podium for U.S. Men

Micaela Patajo took gold in Women’s Speed with a winning time of 9.00 seconds in the final race; she qualified in 3rd before powering to the top of the podium on Monday. Claire Pee added another medal for Team USA, racing to bronze. Isis Rothfork placed 5th, followed by Madeleine Haferling in 6th.

This competition marks the first international competition for both Pee and Haferling, and new competition personal bests for Patajo, Pee, Rothfork, and Haferling.

On the men’s side, Taede Mai earned silver with a 7.54 in the final race, a new competition personal best, while Lucas Vales secured bronze with a blistering 5.71 in finals.

Padilla Takes Silver; Monte and Fuhrer Add Top-Six Finishes

In Men’s Lead, Cruz Padilla came in strong with a 31+ in the semi-final, just shy of the high point but enough to secure the silver medal and a place on the podium—Padilla’s first at an IFSC event.

Following closely behind in the finals round were Nathan Monte in 4th and Anderson Fuhrer in 6th.

Full results from the IFSC Pan American Cup Armenia 2025 can be found here. You can watch the semi-final and final rounds on the IFSC Pan America YouTube Channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

USA Climbing is excited to share its 2024 Impact Report, a comprehensive reflection on a year marked by competitive success, community expansion across the Youth, Collegiate, Para Climbing, and Elite series, and major milestones on the road to the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“This inaugural Impact Report captures accomplishments from 2024 and is an invitation to step boldly into what we can achieve together,” said Marc Norman, President & CEO of USA Climbing. “I am honored to step into this next phase with you.”

USA Climbing invites athletes, families, partners, and fans to explore the full 2024 Impact Report and join in celebrating the accomplishments and opportunities ahead.

Today marks 1,000 days until the LA28 Paralympic Games! Among the 23 Para sports featured is Para Climbing, which will make its Paralympic debut at the Long Beach Climbing Theater. Earlier this year, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) confirmed Para Climbing’s eight medal events that will be included at LA28:

• Visually impaired: women’s B2 and men’s B1
• Upper limb deficiency: women’s and men’s AU2
• Lower limb deficiency: women’s and men’s AL2
• Range and power: women’s and men’s RP1

These medal events bring the total athlete quota to 80 (40 men and 40 women).

In celebration of today’s milestone, the LA28 Games shared the Paralympic competition schedule, confirming both the dates and session times for Para Climbing’s events.

Para Climbing Competition Schedule

Para Climbing will span four days, from August 24–27, 2028. You can find the schedule of events by day below:

Thursday, August 24 (Event Day)

• 9:15 a.m. – 1:10 p.m. PT
• 5:45 p.m. – 7:40 p.m. PT

Friday, August 25 (Medal Event Day)

• 9:15 a.m. – 1:10 p.m. PT (Medal Session)
• 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. PT (Medal Session)

Saturday, August 26 (Medal Event Day)

• 5:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. PT (Medal Session)

Sunday, August 27 (Medal Event Day)

• 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PT (Medal Session)

It’s not yet confirmed which events will occur on which days. You can also view LA28’s full competition schedule by day or by session. Please note that the schedule is subject to change until the conclusion of the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

Para Climbing’s Paralympic debut is a historic milestone for the sport, and USA Climbing will continue sharing updates as the Games approach!

Today, the LA28 Games shared the Olympic competition schedule by event, the most detailed view of the Games yet. It will be Sport Climbing’s third Olympic appearance and the first time that the three disciplines—Boulder, Lead, and Speed—will each award standalone medals. This increase in medal events brings the total athlete quota to 76 (38 women and 38 men).

 

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Sport Climbing Competition Schedule

Sport Climbing will span six days, the same length as in Paris, from July 24–29, 2028. You can find the schedule of events by day below:

Monday, July 24 (Event Day, Boulder and Speed)

• Men’s Boulder Semifinal | 09:30–11:40 PDT
• Men’s and Women’s Speed Qualification | 13:45–15:25 PDT

Tuesday, July 25 (Event Day, Boulder and Lead)

• Women’s Boulder Semifinal | 09:15–11:25 PDT
• Men’s Lead Semifinal | 18:45–20:00 PDT

Wednesday, July 26 (Medal Event Day, Speed and Lead)

• Men’s and Women’s Speed Quarterfinal, Men’s and Women’s Speed Semifinal, Men’s and Women’s Speed Final | 09:00–10:30 PDT (Medal Session)
• Women’s Lead Semifinal | 18:45–20:00 PDT

Thursday, July 27 (Medal Event Day, Boulder)

• Men’s Boulder Final | 09:00–10:55 PDT (Medal Session)

Friday, July 28 (Medal Event Day, Boulder and Lead)

• Women’s Boulder Final | 09:00–10:55 PDT (Medal Session)
• Men’s Lead Final | 13:45 – 15:00 PDT (Medal Session)

Saturday, July 29 (Medal Event Day, Lead)

• Women’s Lead Final | 09:30–10:45 PDT (Medal Session)

The LA28 Games announced earlier this year that Sport Climbing will take place at the Long Beach Climbing Theater, a temporary open-air venue constructed in the Long Beach Convention Center Lot.

You can also view LA28’s full competition schedule by day or by session. Please note that this competition schedule is subject to change until the conclusion of the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

USA Climbing is excited to announce its 2026 National Championships schedule, including five events across the Elite, Para Climbing, Collegiate, and Youth Series. Within each of those series, the country’s top climbers will battle for the title of National Champion and inclusion on the 2026 National Teams. National Team athletes receive critical funding and support to represent the United States internationally, including at IFSC World Cups and World Championships.

“We’re looking forward to sharing our biggest season yet with athletes and fans,” said Marc Norman, President & CEO of USA Climbing. “We’re grateful for the incredible support of our gym partners, who will host championship events across the country before we wrap up the season at USA Climbing’s own National Training Center in Salt Lake City.”

2026 Dates and Locations

February 11–15 | YETI Climbing National Championships
High Point Climbing and Fitness | Orlando, FL
Event Resources

February 28–March 1 | Para Climbing National Championships
Momentum Climbing | Katy, TX
Event Resources

March 4–8 | National Team Trials Presented by The North Face
Portland Rock Gym Beaverton | Portland, OR
Event Resources

May 21–24 | Collegiate National Championships
Central Rock Gym | Kennesaw, GA
Event Resources

June 26–July 3 | Youth National Championships
USA Climbing National Training Center | Salt Lake City, UT
Event Resources

Quotes

John Wiygul, President of High Point Climbing and Fitness

“We’re honored to host USA Climbing’s YETI Nationals at our brand-new facility in Orlando. This event will be an incredible opportunity to showcase our flagship gym on the national stage and put Florida on the map for competitive climbing.”

Rees Williams, General Manager of Momentum Katy

“The Para Climbing National Championships bring together the nation’s most inspiring and elite adaptive athletes to test their skill, strength, and determination on the wall. We’re honored to welcome competitors, routesetters, coaches, and fans from across the country for an unforgettable weekend of competition, community, and celebration of what’s possible in climbing. Join us as we cheer on these incredible athletes and showcase the spirit of inclusion, grit, and adventure that defines our sport!”

Gary Rall, Owner & Founder, and Brendan Rall, Vice President, Sales of Portland Rock Gym

“Portland Rock Gym is thrilled to partner with USA Climbing to bring National Team Trials to the Pacific Northwest. After hosting back-to-back Regional, Divisional, and National Youth Championships, we are proud of our proven ability to provide athletes and teams a world-class experience at our 65,000sqft Beaverton facility.”

Alex Peacher, Chief Marketing Officer of Central Rock Gym

“Central Rock Gym is thrilled to host the Collegiate National Championships! We are incredibly excited to welcome climbers from across the nation to CRG Kennesaw, and we look forward to a spectacular competition showcasing the talent and spirit of collegiate climbing. It’s going to be a fantastic event, and we can’t wait to share this experience with everyone.”

Additional information, including spectator tickets and streaming schedules will be available closer to each event.

The IFSC Para Climbing World Cup season came to a close in Laval, France over the weekend, offering a final chance at podiums for 25 nations’ best athletes. That included 16 USA Climbing athletes across nine sport classes. Some of those wrapped up their very first season of international competition, while others–like Melissa Ruiz, reigning World Champion in the women’s RP1 class–hoped to add medals to a growing collection.

In total, USA Climbing athletes won five medals in Laval: two gold, two silver, and one bronze.

AU Sport Classes

Mason Keough enjoyed a competition breakthrough, winning his first IFSC gold medal in men’s AU3. It’s Keough’s first season competing internationally, but already his third time on the podium.

Meanwhile, Eleanor Rubin won silver in women’s AU2. That’s Rubin’s sixth World Cup medal overall and third IFSC medal this year, including her bronze at the World Championships in September.

Also competing in the AU sport classes were Isabel Benvenuti (8th, women’s AU2) and Derek Kenney (10th, men’s AU3).

RP Sport Classes

Melissa Ruiz continued her winning streak with a third consecutive IFSC gold in women’s RP1. That’s her sixth IFSC gold medal overall (including World Cup wins and her World Championships win last month). Teammate Hannah Zook joined her on the podium, winning silver.

Johnny Quintana finished 4th in men’s RP2, his best result of the season, while Megan Gleason finished 4th in women’s RP2.

Also competing in the RP sport classes were Karalyn Spurr (6th, women’s RP1), Tiffany Yu (8th, women’s RP1), Adam Payne (15th, men’s RP1), Jeffrey Mellenthin (6th, men’s RP2), and Crystal Martin (9th, women’s RP3).

B Sport Classes

Emeline Lakrout earned bronze in women’s B1, her third World Cup podium.

Also competing in B sport classes were Ashley Colburn (6th, women’s B1) and Jessica Semmel (4th, women’s B3).

Understanding Sport Classes

Para Climbing competitions include up to 19 Sport Classes, which group athletes based on their disability or its impact. Sport Classes always begin with a letter: B (visually impaired), AL/AU (limb deficiency, either lower or upper), or RP (limited power or mobility).

That letter is followed by a number–1, 2, or 3–which indicates the severity of the disability. The lower the number, the higher the impairment.

Full results from the IFSC Para Climbing World Cup Laval 2025 can be found here. You can rewatch the Finals on the IFSC YouTube Channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

Four USA Climbing athletes are returning from Fukuoka, Japan, where the IFSC debuted the Nations Grand Finale. Six nations competed in Boulder and Lead, both of which allowed greater coach interaction than a typical competition, as well as “mixed” routes and problems that men and women competed on.

In Lead, the team–Vail Everett, Declan Osgood, Paloma Slowik, and Zoe Yi–finished third in the Qualification round, punching their ticket to the Final, where they finished fourth. It was a narrow result with USA Climbing’s athletes finishing just a half point behind Israel.

In Boulder, the team finished fifth in the Qualification round, which sent them to an Elimination Heat. There, they secured six tops, including flashes from Vail Everett and Zoe Yi, as well as four zones. Moving along to the Final, the team finished with a total 89.60 points, fishing fourth overall.

“Climbing is usually such an individual sport, but this setup really brought out the team aspect,” Slowik told us after the competition. “I hope it continues to grow in the coming years because it’s a valuable way to learn how to work together.”

Full results from the IFSC Nations Grand Finale Fukuoka 2025 can be found here. You can rewatch the Boulder Elimination, Boulder Final, and Lead Final rounds on the IFSC YouTube Channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

The third and final Para Climbing World Cup of the year takes place this weekend in Laval, France! 16 USA Climbing athletes will compete in the season finale, including 10 who recently competed at last month’s Para Climbing World Championships in Seoul, Korea.

How to Watch

You can watch the IFSC Para Climbing World Cup Laval 2025 live (or on-demand at any time after the event) on the IFSC YouTube channel. Coverage begins with the Para Climbing Finals on Saturday, October 25 at 12:00 p.m. MDT.

USA Climbing Athletes Who Are Competing

Isabel Benvenuti | Women’s AU2
Eleanor Rubin | Women’s AU2
Mason Keough | Men’s AU3
Derek Kenney | Men’s AU3
Emeline Lakrout | Women’s B1
Ashley Colburn | Women’s B1
Jessica Semmel | Women’s B3
Melissa Ruiz | Women’s RP1
Hannah Zook | Women’s RP1
Karalyn Spurr | Women’s RP1
Tiffany Yu | Women’s RP1
Megan Gleason | Women’s RP2
Crystal Martin | Women’s RP3
Adam Payne | Men’s RP1
Johnny Quintana | Men’s RP2
Jeffrey Mellenthin | Men’s RP2

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

Four USA Climbing athletes are traveling to Japan this week for the debut of the IFSC Nations Grand Finale Fukuoka 2025. The invitation-based event, which will include just six nations in total, will feature the Boulder and Lead disciplines. A new competition format, similar to the Boulder Mixed Team event that was tested in Salt Lake City in 2021, will encourage collaboration and strategic decision-making. According to the IFSC, “national team coaches will play an active role, working alongside athletes to develop their approach to each round.”

Additionally, one USA Climbing athlete, Deva Ramireddy, will compete at the IFSC Para Climbing Master Fukuoka 2025. The event is open to all Para Climbing sport classes and takes place at the same time as the final Para Climbing World Cup of 2025!

How to Watch

You can watch the IFSC Nations Grand Finale and Para Climbing Master Fukuoka 2025 live (or on-demand at any time after the event) on the IFSC YouTube channel. Coverage begins with the Boulder Elimination Heats on Thursday, October 23 at 7:00 p.m. MDT.

USA Climbing Athletes Who Are Competing

Vail Everett | The IFSC Nations Grand Finale will mark Everett’s 10th IFSC competition start
Declan Osgood | The IFSC Nations Grand Finale will mark Osgood’s 11th IFSC competition start
Paloma Slowik | The IFSC Nations Grand Finale will mark Slowik’s second IFSC competition start
Zoe Yi | The IFSC Nations Grand Finale will mark Yi’s eighth IFSC competition start
Deva Ramireddy | The Para Climbing Master will mark Ramireddy’s third IFSC competition start

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

USA Climbing is excited to announce its 2025-2028 Strategic Plan. The plan outlines four pillars, each with strategic initiatives and intended outcomes, to further USA Climbing’s mission:

USA Climbing supports the well-being, development, and competitive excellence of our athletes as we advance the accessibility and growth of the climbing community nationwide.

USA Climbing extends its sincere appreciation to the many individuals and organizations who contributed to the development of this Strategic Plan. This document reflects the insights and commitment of our Board of Directors, staff, Strategic Planning Task Force and other key stakeholders.

We are grateful to all who participated in surveys, listening sessions, and feedback opportunities throughout this process. Your input has been invaluable in shaping a clear, actionable plan that reflects the needs and aspirations of the climbing community.

Boulder wrapped up the IFSC Climbing World Championships in Seoul, where 11 US athletes competed and Melina Costanza earned her first Elite World Championships podium.

Costanza Claims Bronze at First World Championships

Melina Costanza is a household name for climbing fans in the United States. After all, she won National Team Trials this year and the YETI National Championships for the last two years. But she has never before competed in an Elite World Championships, and she’s never made a World Cup Final, which led some of the international audience in Seoul to ask, “Where did she come from?”

Returning from an LCL injury, it’s fair to call Costanza the underdog in Seoul—she even told us that, when she made the Semi-Final, her only goal was to not finish last.

“This is above my expectations. It was a long season watching everyone else do World Cups and sitting at home being injured, but I think it motivated me,” Costanza said. “I got here and was ready to let it rip.”

Costanza absolutely did ‘let it rip,’ topping the first boulder in just two attempts, and then flashing the third boulder (she was one of only four competitors to do so). That gave her a total of 59.8 points, enough for the bronze medal.

Meanwhile, Annie Sanders stepped up to Boulder Finals just 24 hours after competing in the Lead Finals. She reached the zone on all four boulders but couldn’t secure a top, finishing with 39.3 points. That placed her 7th overall.

Also representing Team USA were Helen Gillett in 26th, Nekaia Sanders in 33rd, Kyra Condie in 39th, and Adriene Akiko Clark in 43rd.

Duffy and Hanna Both Enjoy First Boulder Semi-Final at World Championships

Colin Duffy fought through 10 attempts to top the first boulder, then quickly dispatched the second boulder, topping on his first attempt. He would go on to secure one more zone on the third boulder, finishing with 59.1 points and placing him 12th overall. Seoul was his second World Championships appearance and his first time in the Boulder Semi-Final.

Ben Hanna also made his first Boulder Semi-Final at the World Championships, an event he last appeared at in Moscow in 2021. With four zones, he earned 39.1 points and finished 22nd.

“I constantly struggle with feeling like I’m getting too old for this, but also I’m in my best shape and having my best results,” Hanna told us after the round. “I made my first IFSC Semi-Final in 2022. This is my first year making two Semi-Finals and I’m very excited to make my first Final. I wish it wasn’t such a long process, but it’s nice to keep improving and see that process through.”

Also representing Team USA were Zander Waller in 46th, Vail Everett in 47th, and Adam Shahar in 59th.

Full results from the IFSC Climbing World Championships Seoul 2025 can be found here. You can rewatch the Finals on the IFSC YouTube Channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

10 US athletes competed in Lead this week at the IFSC Climbing World Championships, and Annie Sanders reached a new competition milestone, achieving her best Elite World Championships finish yet.

Sanders Finishes 5th in Women’s Lead

Annie Sanders was the lone American to compete in Lead Finals, following a World Cup season full of both Lead and Boulder medals. As usual, she climbed the Final route with slow, controlled precision, surpassing three of the four previous finalists’ high points before coming up short on hold 43. Her final score of 42+ secured her that fifth place finish.

That’s quite the improvement since Sanders’ last Elite World Championships appearance in 2023, where she placed 13th in Lead (and 8th in the combined Boulder & Lead format).

“I’m not in my best shape right now, but it’s been a long season,” Sanders told us after the round, with hopes of more outdoor climbing this fall. “It’s cool to see the progress that I’ve made over these past couple of years.”

Sanders’ trip isn’t over yet though–she’s one of just three US athletes competing in both Lead and Boulder. The Women’s Boulder Semi-Final will pick up on Saturday (or late Friday for those following along in the US).

Also representing Team USA were Analise Van Hoang in 27th, Ella Fisher in 32nd, Zoe Yi in 42nd, and Adriene Akiko Clark in 48th.

Duffy Leads Men’s Team in Semi-Final

On the men’s side, Colin Duffy led the pack, competing in his first World Championships since the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Duffy tiptoed through small crimps on the Semi-Final’s headwall, before falling while reaching for hold 41, giving him a final score of 40+. That landed him in 14th overall.

Like Sanders, Duffy is also competing in Boulder. The Men’s Boulder Semi-Final will start on Sunday (or late Saturday for those following along in the US).

Also representing Team USA were Jesse Grupper in 34th, Nathan Sato in 35th, Sergey Lakhno in 42nd, and Declan Osgood in 59th.

Full results from the IFSC Climbing World Championships Seoul 2025 can be found here. You can rewatch the Finals on the IFSC YouTube Channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

At the IFSC Climbing World Championships this week, 10 US athletes took on the Speed field, and Zach Hammer left with his first-ever World Championships podium—and a new personal best.

Hammer Delivers Epic Season-Closer

Zach Hammer delivered the highlight of the day, racing to bronze in Men’s Speed after a lightning-fast personal best of 4.80 seconds. The result caps a breakout season for Hammer, who recently earned his first two World Cup medals—one in Denver and another in Chamonix.

“I devote every part of my life to climbing and it’s amazing to see that pay off,” Hammer said after the Final. “A bronze medal is always mixed emotions because you’re one race away (from gold or silver), but I’m very proud to come home with a medal. Any medal is such an honor.”

Also representing Team USA were Sam Watson, the current World Record holder, who placed 5th; Michael Hom in 6th; Logan Schlecht in 40th; and Merritt Ernsberger in 58th.

Rothfork Leads Women’s Team in Final

On the women’s side, Isis Rothfork enjoyed her best result of the season, finishing 9th overall and setting a personal best of 6.78 seconds. Piper Kelly joined her in the Final and secured 15th place.

Also representing Team USA were Sophie Curcio in 20th, Madi Walsh in 28th, and Emma Hunt—the newly crowned Women’s Speed World Cup Series champion—in 29th, following an uncharacteristic slip in the Qualification. Hunt’s early exit was a surprise, but she closed the season celebrating her historic overall title.

Full results from the IFSC Climbing World Championships Seoul 2025 can be found here. You can rewatch the Finals on the IFSC YouTube Channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

The IFSC Para Climbing World Championships concluded in Seoul, Korea today, crowning World Champions across 19 total sport classes.

Among the competitors were a staggering 50 US athletes vying for their respective podiums. Of those, 18 (more than a third) advanced to Finals and 12 won medals.

That’s three more medals than at the last Para Climbing World Championships, where US athletes earned nine.

B Sport Classes

At the last World Championships in Bern, Seneida Biendarra took silver in the women’s B2 event, but it was gold around her neck in Seoul.

Linn Poston won gold in the women’s B3 category. They have two gold medals from World Cup performances, but this marks their first World Championships appearance–and first World Championships win.

Phoebe Barkan followed closely behind Poston, taking silver in the women’s B3 category at her first World Championships.

Also competing in the B sport classes were Emeline Lakrout (4th, women’s B1), Kevin Chao (6th, men’s B2), Andrew Martinez (6th, men’s B3), Gordon Fralick (7th, men’s B3), Mandi Curtis (7th, women’s B3), and Paige Trotter (9th, women’s B3).

RP Sport Classes

Brayden Butler not only stood on the World Championships podium for the first time, but took gold in the men’s RP2 competition.

“I’m so happy I got the opportunity to come out here and show what I have been training for,” said Butler. “Yes, it’s about trying to win but it’s also about showing the para climbers and RP2 climbers can climb hard and display strength–that’s my goal.”

Melissa Ruiz won gold in the women’s RP1 event. Ruiz brings more competition experience than many of her teammates, with Seoul being her fourth World Championships and second World Championships podium, but first time winning gold. Since 2019, her World Championships placement has steadily climbed from twelfth to sixth to second to first.

In the same category, Hannah Zook won bronze, her first World Championships podium.

Emily Seelenfreund took gold in the women’s RP2 event, her first gold at any IFSC event.

“To be World Champion is surreal,” said Seelenfreund. “I want to be my best self on the wall and I feel like I was today.”

Nat Vorel won silver, their first World Championships medal, in the women’s RP3 category.

Also competing in the RP sport classes were Jackie Stewart (5th, women’s RP1), Tiffany Yu (7th, women’s RP1), Paul Martin (7th, men’s RP1), Joshua Unterman (16th, men’s RP1), Connor King (17th, men’s RP1), Ruchir Khaitan (18th, men’s RP1), Megan Gleason (4th, women’s RP2), Ben Mayforth (4th, men’s RP2), Johnny Quintana (5th, men’s RP2), Jeffrey Mellenthin (6th, men’s RP2), Mark Jourdian (12th, men’s RP3), Deva Ramireddy (14th, men’s RP3), and Lindsay Purcell (6th, women’s RP3).

AU Sport Classes

Brian Zarzuela won bronze in the men’s AU2 category, his third time on a World Championships podium.

Meanwhile, Ellie Rubin took bronze in the women’s AU2 category, marking her first World Championships podium.

Also competing in the AU sport classes were Matthew Lynch (11th, men’s AU2), Dylan Retsek (12th, men’s AU2), Isabel Benvenuti (5th, women’s AU2), Josephine Fouts (8th, women’s AU2), Elise Morley (13th, women’s AU2), Mason Keough (4th, men’s AU3), and Benen Parlmer (7th, men’s AU3).

AL Sport Classes

Corey Ramos won bronze in the men’s AL2 category, with Seoul being his first World Championships.

Daliya Hansen took bronze in the women’s AL2 category, also making her World Championships debut.

Also competing in the AL sport classes were Lee Shaffer (5th, men’s AL2), Ethan Zilz (6th, men’s AL2), Chase Christiansen (18th, men’s AL2), Morgan Loomis (8th, women’s AL2), Kaitlyn Truscott (10th, women’s AL2), Hannah McFadden (12th, women’s AL2), Tanner Cislaw (5th, AL1), Brittany Chadbourne (10th, AL1), Carlie Cook (11th, AL1), Garrison Redd (12th, AL1), Carlos Quiles (13th, AL1), and Andrea Wilson (14th, AL1).

Full results from the IFSC Para Climbing World Championships Seoul 2025 can be found here. You can rewatch the Finals on the IFSC YouTube Channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

The IFSC Speed World Cup season concluded this past weekend in Guiyang, China, offering a final set of medals and awarding this year’s series titles! Among the competitors were seven USA Climbing athletes. Sam Watson, who set the World Record earlier this season, brought the most experience, having already competed in 22 World Cups. Meanwhile, Joshua Jan enjoyed his IFSC debut.

Emma Hunt Wins Speed Series Plus Another Bronze Medal

Emma Hunt’s season has been nothing short of consistent. Since the season kicked off in April, Hunt placed 4th in Wujiang, then won gold in Denver, silver in Krakow, and bronze in Chamonix. Of course, at the final stop in Guiyang, she easily made finals, just as she did in every previous World Cup of the season, leaving Qualification in 4th place with a best time of 6.52 seconds. Her best time in Finals was 6.35 seconds, but it was her time of 6.44 seconds in the Small Final that beat China’s Yafei Zhou, winning Hunt the bronze medal.

That marks Hunt’s 10th World Cup medal—more than any other USA Climbing Speed athlete. Throughout the season, she accumulated a total of 3,795 points, making her the first US female climber to win the Speed title.

“It was a really tight race leading into Guiyang,” said Hunt. “I’m glad that I was able to hold it together for a medal and the title!”

Isis Rothfork also climbed in Finals, having finished 15th in Qualification with a time of 7.19 seconds. That’s Rothfork’s fourth Finals of the season.

Also representing Team USA in the Qualification round was Sophie Curcio, who finished 20th with a time of 7.64 seconds.

Zach Hammer and Sam Watson Lead Men’s Team in Finals

Zach Hammer and Sam Watson, who are no strangers to the spotlight, both made Finals in Guiyang. Hammer left Qualification in 4th place with a best time of 4.93 seconds, while Watson left Qualification in 10th place with a best time of 4.97 seconds, demonstrating just how crucial it is to go sub-5 on the road to Finals.

“For me, historically, I’ve had a history of having bad first runs and then coming back in the second, so a big goal for me this season has been to have a good first and second to help decrease the pressure,” said Hammer following that Qualification performance. “I had a 5.0 first and 4.9 second so a perfect qualification for me.”

Watson lost his first race to Germany’s Leander Carmanns, placing him 11th overall in Guiyang. That said, Watson also won three World Cup medals, set the World Record, and accumulated 3,629 points throughout the season, placing him second overall in the Speed World Cup series.

Meanwhile, Hammer won his 1/8 race with a time of 4.95 seconds, before losing the 1/4 race to Ukraine’s Yaroslav Tkach and placing him 7th overall in Guiyang.

Also representing Team USA in the Qualification round were Ben Jennings, who finished 33rd with a time of 5.42 seconds, and Joshua Jan, who finished 34th with a time of 5.76 seconds.

You can rewatch the IFSC World Cup Guiyang 2025 on the IFSC YouTube Channel. Full results from Guiyang can be found here, while the IFSC’s World Cup ranking can be found here.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

The final competition of the 2025 North American Cup Series (NACS) took place in Salt Lake City, Utah over the weekend! More than 150 athletes showed up at USA Climbing’s downtown National Training Center to compete in Lead and Speed. Among those were a number of “comeback” competitors, including Natalia Grossman (an Olympian and highly-decorated World Cup competitor who competed for the first time since receiving ACL + meniscus surgery) and Nathaniel Coleman (an Olympic silver medalist who competed in a sanctioned competition for the first time since 2023).

Rothfork and Miner Race to Gold in Speed Finals

Speed was on display again, with one competitor (Isis Rothfork) stepping up to the plate just days after getting home from The World Games in Chengdu, China. Surprisingly, Rothfork told us that the quick turnaround affected her “only in a positive way.”

Rothfork kept steady momentum throughout Finals, posting a time of 7.11 seconds in the 1/4 final, 6.95 seconds in the 1/2 final, and 6.87 seconds in the big final. That ended up being the fastest women’s time of the weekend and earned Rothfork the gold medal.

“I’m feeling pretty psyched,” said Rothfork. “It’s always hard to execute in competitions and it’s been a learning process.”

Next on Rothfork’s radar is the IFSC World Cup Guiyang 2025.

On the men’s side, Logan Miner had plenty to celebrate, setting a competition personal best (and the second-fastest men’s time of the weekend) of 5.49 seconds in the 1/2 final. He would go on to beat Jasper Zhu in the big final, posting a time of 5.78 seconds and securing the gold medal.

“I’ve wanted a National-level win for a while and it’s good to finally get it,” said Miner, who moved to Salt Lake City a little less than two weeks ago.

While pursuing a psychology degree at the University of Utah is next on Miner’s mind, he assured us that he’ll also spend the off-season “getting as fast as (he) can.”

The Speed discipline also welcomed a wave of U17 (those aged 15-16-years-old) competitors for their own Finals. That’s a new addition to this year’s North American Cup Series, and one that USA Climbing hopes will give young athletes valuable experience and development opportunities at elite competitions.

Women’s Speed Podiums: 

Isis Rothfork (Adult), Alexis Prokopuk (U17)
Isabel Piotrowski (Adult), Anabelle Supratman (U17)
Natalie Gates (Adult), Hollis Robinson (U17)

Men’s Speed Podiums: 

Logan Miner (Adult), Griffin Smith (U17)
Jasper Zhu (Adult), Khoi Tran (U17)
Thomas Lin (Adult), Anthony Wise (U17)

Grossman Back On Top, Lakhno Wins Gold Again

Fans were on the edge of their seats as the Lead rounds welcomed up-and-comers, competition legends, and a few surprises. Natalia Grossman wooed the crowd in Qualification, returning from injury, but looking totally in control and placing first. In the Semi-Final, a demanding perch over her left leg gave Grossman a bit of pause, but she would still place third, easily punching her ticket to Finals. Sergey Lakhno, who just this past spring won National Team Trials, finished first in both Qualification and Semi-Finals, while Dillon Countryman trailed just behind him for both rounds. Nathaniel Coleman had a surprising slip during the Semi-Final, costing him the spot in Finals.

Grossman looked confident going into the Women’s Final route, despite the start being a run-and-jump, which she says she hasn’t done in about seven months due to her injury. After her commitment paid off, Grossman took advantage of rests and technical footwork to match Zoe Yi’s previous high point, and then set a new one. Neither Michaela Kiersch nor Analise Van Hoang could surpass that high point, ensuring the gold medal for Grossman. Not only was that her first medal on this Lead wall, but her first time ever competing on this Lead wall, which she often trains on before World Cups.

“I didn’t know what to expect coming into this competition,” said Grossman. “I’ve never felt so nervous before a Qualification route in my life. The Semi-Final was frustrating… Going into Finals, I was like, ‘I have nothing to lose.'”

Next, Grossman looks forward to competing at the YETI National Championships in February.

In the men’s field, all eyes were on Sergey Lakhno, who was aiming for first in all three rounds. Cruz Padilla had already secured the first top of the Men’s Final route, requiring that Lakhno also top to win. A slow lock-off to the final red dish secured him that top and the gold medal, his second win at a National-level event this year.

“I think this is some of the best routesetting I’ve seen at a USA Climbing competition,” said Lakhno after the round.

Sergey Lakhno will now head to the IFSC World Cup Koper 2025, followed by the IFSC World Championships Seoul 2025.

Men’s Lead Podium: 

Sergey Lakhno
Cruz Padilla
Nathan Sato

Women’s Lead Podium: 

Natalia Grossman
Zoe Yi
Analise Van Hoang

Full results can be found at usac.results.info. You can rewatch the Semi-Final and Final rounds of the 2025 North American Cup Salt Lake City at any time on the USA Climbing YouTube channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for future updates and behind-the-scenes action.

The 2025 Youth World Championships took place in Helsinki, Finland from July 28–August 3rd! There were over 800 competitors from 54 countries and territories competing at the largest climbing gym in all of Northern Europe: KiipeilyAreena Ristikko. This event exclusively featured athletes from both the U17 and U19 youth categories. Overall, two medals were awarded for the U17W category. Evie Albrecht earned her first Gold for Speed, which marks the first US Women’s Speed Gold and podium since 2023! Meanwhile, Lucy Duncan earned her first Silver for Boulder, which is also the first Boulder medal earned by a US athlete at Youth Worlds since 2023.

Boulder Podiums

U19M 
Nathaniel Perullo, who has notably never competed in an IFSC competition before, placed 24th in Semi-Finals. Also representing the USA in the Qualification round were Auggie Chi, who finished 27th, and Declan Osgood, who placed 31st—both of whom have previously competed in two IFSC Youth World Championships.

U19W
Carly Alba placed 12th in her first Semi-Finals at an IFSC Youth World Championship, with Alexandra Inghilterra not far behind in 16th. Inghilterra fell on the final move of W4—a coordination dyno to a slotted crimp—before topping with only 30 seconds left on the clock. Also representing the USA in the Qualification round was Naomi Lahaie, who finished 27th in her first IFSC Youth World Championship.

U17M
Landers Gaydosh competed in both Boulder and Lead at his first IFSC event, coming in fifth place with two tops and one zone. Gaydosh held first place for a notable amount of time after he expertly navigated the slow slab section of M1, at one point standing up on a miniscule foot chip. Gaydosh’s entrance into Finals made him the first US male in a Youth Worlds Boulder Finals since 2023!

Making it to Semi-Finals at his first IFSC event was Jackson Dendy in 18th with three zones. Also representing the USA in the Qualification round was Banlu Rogaway in 28th with one top and three zones.

U17W
Meini Li (CHN)
Lucy Duncan (USA)
Lou Auclair (FRA)

Lucy Duncan earned not only her first podium, but also her first Silver and medal in general at an IFSC event with three tops and one zone during Finals. This marks the first Boulder medal for a US athlete at Youth Worlds since 2023. Duncan was beaten solely by attempts, as no athlete could top every problem. Her ability to quickly move off volumes wowed the crowd, especially when she effortlessly danced across the W1 coordination move. After a heavy celebration, Duncan topped W3 with 18 seconds remaining after fighting through on her fifth attempt.

Competing in Semi-Finals was Kailyn Leong, who placed 14th place with two tops at her first IFSC event. With only five seconds left, she topped the technical and powerful W4 on her fourth attempt. Also representing the USA in the Qualification round was Evelyn Orton, who placed 30th with two tops and three zones.

Speed Podiums

U19M

Taede Mai finished the competition in 4th after a combination of hard work and good fortune when his opponent false started during their first race. From there, Mai soared past the competition, clocking his fastest time of the day at 5.94 seconds. Also representing the USA in the Qualification round were Lucas Vales in 16th place with a time of 5.6 seconds, and William Eaton close behind in 17th place with a time of 5.67 seconds. Vales has competed in a World Cup for Speed before, however, Helsinki is his best placement to date. For Eaton, this was his first IFSC event.

U19W
Madi Walsh was just a fraction of a second away from earning her first Bronze in the Bronze medal race. Still, she posted impressive times, with her best of the competition coming in at 7.73 seconds. Walsh has already competed in two World Cups for Speed this year, with this marking her highest placement so far. Also competing in Finals was Lily Staudt, who was also edged out by a fraction of a second with a time of 8.80 seconds. Close behind was the experienced Micaela Patajo—who has notably competed in five IFSC events since 2023—finishing with a time of 7.89 seconds in Finals.

U17W
Evie Albrecht earned not only her first Gold, but her first IFSC podium and medal as well. With a time of 6.96 seconds, Albrecht beat her opponent to Gold by only 0.03 seconds. After her win, Albrecht celebrated by nearly flipping upside down in her harness as she descended to the ground. This Gold marks both the first US women’s Speed podium and US women’s Speed Gold since 2023.

Also representing the USA in Finals was Bella Wargo, who has only competed in one other IFSC Youth World Championship before. Wargo’s fastest time was clocked at 8.00 seconds flat, with the competition ending for her during Quarter-Finals. Also representing the USA in the Qualification round was Olivia Yandora, who placed 22nd at her first IFSC event with a time of 9.6 seconds.

U17M
Representing the USA in the Qualification round were Khoi Tran, who placed 17th with a time of 7.02 seconds, followed closely by Owen Gerber in 20th with a time of 7.07 seconds. Finally, Austin Bock placed 34th after a false start. Notably, both Tran and Bock have previously competed alongside each other at the same IFSC Youth World Championships. For Gerber, this was his first IFSC event.

Lead Podiums

U19M
Bryce Nix, whose last IFSC Youth World Championship was in 2023, placed 15th in Semi-Finals. Also representing the USA in the Qualification round were Anderson Fuhrer, who placed 26th, and Wesley Smith, who finished 57th—both making their IFSC debuts.

U19W

Zoe Yi, who has competed at three previous IFSC Youth World Championships before, achieved her best placement just off the podium in fifth place. Throughout the competition, Yi had a few stand-out moves, including a heel-hook on an extremely small crimp in Semi-Finals before a dynamic move on her Finals route almost caused her to slip. Yi returned her feet to the wall effortlessly, a move that not many other competitors could follow. Also representing the USA in Semi-Finals was Alexandra Inghilterra, who placed 15th after pulling off an incredible high-heel-foot match. Inghilterra held the U19W high point for a notable amount of time.

U17M
Benjamin Rose-Innes placed 21st at his first Lead Semi-Final at an IFSC Youth World Championship. At one point, Rose-Innes clipped while having both his heels hooked. Also representing the USA in the Qualification round were Landers Gaydosh—who made it to Finals for Boulder—placing 28th, and Colden Floss, who finished 45th at his first IFSC Youth World Championship.

U17W
Evelyn Orton—who also competed in Boulder—placed 14th at her first Lead Semi-Final at an IFSC Youth World Championship after taking a large whip during an extended missed clip. Still, Orton moved slowly and technically throughout her entire route. Also representing the USA in the Qualification round were Khadija Magali (Km) Suleman in 29th place, followed by Isabelle Case in 36th place. Case got her first international start at this competition.

Full results from the IFSC Youth World Championships 2025 can be found here. You can rewatch the finals on the IFSC YouTube Channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

Salt Lake City is hosting this year’s final Climbing North American Cup from August 22–24! The event will welcome many of the continent’s best competition climbers and feature the Lead and Speed disciplines. Marking the end of the 2025 North American Cup Series, which USA Climbing has co-hosted alongside Climbing Escalade Canada, the event will give athletes one final chance at the podium. It’s also an opportunity for US athletes to earn points towards National Championships eligibility.

Tickets are now on sale for the three-day spectacle, which will take place at USA Climbing’s National Training Center, while the semi-final and final rounds will also stream live to the USA Climbing YouTube channel.

Madrid, Spain, debuted its first IFSC Climbing World Cup this past weekend, featuring three Olympians among the seven US athletes who competed. This lead-only event saw more than 163 athletes from 36 countries and territories at the Recinto ferial de Alcobendas fairground nestled right in the center of a bustling community. Although July is typically the hottest month for Spain, the air was calm, allowing for an attentive crowd to fill up every inch of space within the venue during Finals. The last time an IFSC Climbing World Cup was held in Spain was back in 2011 in Barcelona—nearly 14 years ago.

Annie Sanders progressed to her fourth lead final round of the season before making history by topping both her Semi-Finals and Finals routes. Olympian Brooke Raboutou is back on the scene as well, making it to finals alongside fellow Olympian Colin Duffy.

Sanders Makes History and Raboutou Takes Bronze

Annie Sanders achieved a perfect performance as the only athlete to top both routes. By the time semi-finals began, it was night in Madrid, where Sanders gained momentum from the crowd as she neared the finish with 30 seconds on the clock. With seven seconds remaining, she clipped the anchors as the crowd cheered below after an extremely tiring route. In a strong position, Sanders faced significant pressure heading into finals. However, that pressure quickly faded after she executed a flawless two-handed dyno on her final route, signaling the top was near. As the sun set in Madrid, she hopped to the top and stayed there, visibly emotional. Every athlete before her had tried and failed the same move.

With this semi-finals and finals top, Sanders became the first US woman to win gold in both boulder and lead. When told of the achievement, Sanders didn’t know what to say.

“I’m honestly still in shock right now. I’m super excited to finally have executed well enough to win gold,” Sanders said. “After the first lead comp in China, I knew I was capable of this, and I’m glad it finally happened.”

This Gold was Sanders’ first in the Lead discipline, marking her impressive progress since the beginning of the season. Not only is this an incredible personal benchmark, but for the history of competition climbing as well. Sanders is only the fourth US woman to win a Lead Gold medal, as well as the ninth woman ever to win both Lead and Boulder Gold medals.

Olympian Brooke Raboutou finished taking bronze, rounding out the podium for the US. Although Sanders was the only athlete to top any of the routes, Raboutou had standout moves of her own that drew similar attention. During semi-finals, Raboutou chose to rest in a one-hand campus on a sloped jug, alternating between hands. In finals, she opted to move off a middle-finger pocket—a decision that shocked the crowd—before falling as she reached for the finish. Although she didn’t top, Raboutou reached the hold just before with 1 minute, 12 seconds still on the clock, showcasing her speed.

Also representing Team USA in the Qualification round were Adriene Akiko Clark, who finished 50th, and Quinn Mason, close behind in 52nd.

Duffy Impresses During Tight Finals Round

Olympian Colin Duffy carried momentum from his finals performance in Chamonix. In semi-finals, he looked comfortable on every move, especially when he moved powerfully from a pull to a crimp—one of the separator moves along the route. The crux stumped both Duffy and fellow Olympian Jesse Grupper, as athletes were expected to rock over an incredibly high heel—a move neither could complete, though both gave a valiant effort.

During finals, Duffy stayed consistent and decisive without hesitation, going for a double clutch dyno to an unpredictable hold he had little vision of from the ground. Despite falling earlier than he expected, Duffy stayed in the lead on the podium for almost the entire round. Eventually, however, Duffy was bumped from the podium due to time spent on the wall. He had the same score as the Bronze podium athlete.

Olympian Jesse Grupper struggled on some of the same moves as Duffy but still delivered a strong semi-finals performance. Grupper was controlled in every swing, turning dynamic movements nearly static through his core strength. He climbed quickly and smoothly throughout the route, even choosing not to fix the rope when it looped over his arm. Eventually, Grupper fell at the same spot as Duffy and missed Finals by just one positive motion point.

Also representing Team USA in the qualification round was Sergey Lakhno in 46th place.

Full results from the IFSC Climbing World Cup Madrid 2025 can be found here. You can rewatch the finals on the IFSC YouTube Channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

Three years from today, the Olympic Games will kick off in Los Angeles, California. In celebration of the milestone, the LA28 Games shared the Olympic competition schedule, confirming both the dates and session times for Sport Climbing’s events.

The LA28 Games announced earlier this year that Sport Climbing will take place at the Long Beach Climbing Theater, a temporary open-air venue constructed in the Long Beach Convention Center Lot.

Sport Climbing Competition Schedule

Sport Climbing will span six days, the same length as in Paris, from July 24–29, 2028. You can find the schedule of events by day below:

Monday, July 24 (Event Day)

• 09:30–11:40 PDT
• 13:45–15:25 PDT

Tuesday, July 25 (Event Day)

• 09:15–11:25 PDT
• 18:45–20:00 PDT

Wednesday, July 26 (Medal Event Day)

• 09:00–10:30 PDT (Medal Session)
• 18:45–20:00 PDT

Thursday, July 27 (Medal Event Day)

• 09:00–10:55 PDT (Medal Session)

Friday, July 28 (Medal Event Day)

• 09:00–10:55 PDT (Medal Session) and 13:45 – 15:00 PDT (Medal Session)

Saturday, July 29 (Medal Event Day)

• 09:30–10:45 PDT (Medal Session)

While it’s not yet confirmed which events will occur on which days, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed earlier this year (via the official event programme) that Sport Climbing’s three disciplines – Boulder, Lead, and Speed – will each get standalone medals.

You can also view LA28’s full competition schedule by day or by session. Please note that this competition schedule is subject to change until the conclusion of the Los Angeles 2028 Games. LA28 will release a more detailed competition schedule later this year.

Chamonix, France, hosted its 23rd IFSC Climbing World Cup this weekend, featuring a stacked lineup of some of Team USA’s best and most experienced athletes, including Olympians Brooke Raboutou, Sam Watson, Zach Hammer, Colin Duffy, Jesse Grupper, Emma Hunt, and Piper Kelly. In total, 18 Team USA athletes competed at this event among the 204 athletes from 43 countries and territories. The fourth Lead World Cup and fifth Speed World Cup of the season took place at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest summit in the French Alps. The crowd packed into the venue for every event, with most spectators sprawled on the ground or settled into camping chairs.

Both Colin Duffy and Sam Watson returned to the Chamonix podium after winning gold at last year’s event. Meanwhile, this was Brooke Raboutou’s first World Cup appearance since winning silver in Boulder and Lead at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Overall, seven Team USA athletes advanced to finals: Brooke Raboutou, Annie Sanders, Emma Hunt, Isis Rothfork, Sam Watson, Zach Hammer, Colin Duffy, and Jesse Grupper.

Watson Defends Chamonix Title With Another Gold

Redeeming himself from a false start at Krakow last weekend, Olympian Sam Watson took gold in finals. His stunning qualification and semi-final performances set the stage for his gold medal race, which left him only 0.1 seconds off his personal best of 4.64. In an interview recapping the day, Watson couldn’t have been more passionate about the experience, calling Chamonix the “crown jewel” of the World Cup circuit.

“The funny thing is that a 4.65 with a 1.90 reaction time — legally, I could have gone 0.09 faster and gotten the world record,” Watson said. “But it’s quite poetic considering my false start at the last one and my slow and cautious reaction times this comp. But records will fall in the future, and I’m happy to be on the top step of the podium.”

Meanwhile, fellow Olympian Zach Hammer earned his first bronze with a time of 4.96 in the bronze medal race. In all of his races, Hammer appeared significantly ahead of his opponents from the qualification rounds through to finals. This performance left Team USA filling the podium. Also notable is that Hammer and Watson had back-to-back times throughout the competition. In the qualification round during the Lane A race, Hammer clocked 4.945 seconds, just 0.1 seconds behind Watson’s 4.924. The same pattern continued into finals, with the pair’s last runs separated by only 0.31 seconds.

Also representing Team USA in the qualification round was Logan Schlecht, finishing 34th with his fastest time clocked at 5.311. Noah Bratschi followed in 44th, with a best time of 5.534 after slips in both races cost him valuable milliseconds. Merritt Ernsberger placed 45th with his fastest time being 5.569, and finally, Michael Hom finished 75th after suffering a false start while racing Watson. Hom’s time in his next run was 5.121 seconds.

Hunt Breaks Pan-American Record, Secures Bronze

Olympian Emma Hunt delivered another impressive performance, this time winning bronze and setting a new Pan-American record of 6.25 seconds during finals. In the qualification round, Hunt raced against teammate Madi Walsh with a time of 6.58 seconds. She posted the exact same time in the following round before ramping things up in finals to achieve not only a new Pan-American record but a new personal best as well. The closest Hunt had come before was 6.36 seconds. During her bronze medal race, Hunt slipped but still edged out her opponent by a fraction of a second. Hunt’s final time was clocked at 6.35, with her opponent following at 6.36. The last time Hunt earned bronze was at the IFSC Climbing World Cup in Edinburgh in 2022, which at the time was only her eighth World Cup.

Also competing in finals was Isis Rothfork, who narrowly defeated her opponent in the qualification round by just 0.01 seconds after racing neck-and-neck up the wall. Her time of 7.01 marked a new personal best, landing her in 12th place overall. Rothfork, who was disappointed with her performance at Krakow, hoped that a different mindset would change her outcome at Chamonix.

“I changed how I was thinking, not how I was climbing,” Rothfork said in an interview.

In finals, Rothfork had a slower start out of the gate but persevered, finishing with a time of 7.43 seconds.

Also representing Team USA in the qualification round was Olympian Piper Kelly in 23rd place, with her fastest time at 7.232 seconds. A few spots behind was Sophia Curcio in 31st place with a time of 7.72, followed by Madi Walsh, who raced against Hunt in 34th with a time of 7.67. Finally, Emiko Takeuchi finished 40th, clocking her fastest time at 7.82 seconds.

Sanders Takes Silver With One Move

Annie Sanders took Silver in a tense finals round where every athlete on the podium finished only one point away from each other. With her last bit of energy, Sanders jumped from bronze to silver after successfully moving off a crimp before falling in positive motion towards her next hold. Sanders finished with a score of 43+, while the gold medalist finished with 44+. This is Sanders’ first silver in Lead, proving her abilities as a powerhouse for Team USA. Her incredible endurance allowed her to complete the same sequences as her competitors — just in a slower, more calculated fashion. At one point during finals, Sanders wasn’t even halfway done with the route with 2 minutes and 30 seconds left, showing how much she thinks through every move. Additionally, Sanders was the only athlete in the entire competition to top a route in semi-finals, as well as being first in the qualification round against 79 other athletes.

Olympian Brooke Raboutou followed close behind, just missing the podium in fourth place. At two inches shorter than Sanders, Raboutou had to stretch for several key moves during semi-finals. Still, she managed to rest in a full split mid-route, impressing the crowd before showcasing impressive control in finals. Raboutou finished with a score of 40+ in her return to the World Cup circuit.

Also representing Team USA in the qualification round was Adriene Akiko Clark, who finished 32nd with a score of 30.22, and Quinn Mason in 62nd with a score of 61.74.

Duffy’s Unique Climbing Style Shines in Semi-Final

Olympian Colin Duffy had multiple stand-out moves throughout both semi-finals and finals, amazing the crowd after an original placement of 12th in the qualification round. In semi-finals, Duffy flexed by almost hooking his two fingers in an outward facing hand-jam between two volumes. This move shocked the audience, as most other athletes had used traditional beta when approaching the same move. With this, Duffy jumped to fourth before eventually finishing in fifth during finals after cruising through a campus move to a crimp, then crossing through a rose move to a pocket before flipping 360 degrees to stay square against the wall. That move alone would have been impressive, but Duffy followed it with a rest in a two-finger pocket.

Also competing in the Semi-Final round was Olympian Jesse Grupper, who at one point was resting and clipping while having both heels hooked onto two slopers.

Also representing Team USA in the qualification round was Sergey Lakhno, who finished 43rd with a score of 39.57.

Full results from the IFSC Climbing World Cup Chamonix 2025 can be found here. You can rewatch the finals on the IFSC YouTube Channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

World Cup season continues this weekend in Chamonix, France! As the fourth Lead World Cup and fifth Speed World Cup of the season, Chamonix will welcome 19 US athletes to the Place du Mont Blanc, named for its location at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest summit in the Alps.

Notably, this will be Brooke Raboutou’s first World Cup appearance since winning silver in Boulder & Lead at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

How to Watch the World Cup

You can watch the IFSC World Cup Chamonix 2025 live (or on-demand at any time after the event) on the IFSC YouTube channel, starting with the Speed Qualification on Friday, July 11.

USA Climbing Athletes Who Are Competing

Men’s Lead Athletes

Colin Duffy | Chamonix will be Duffy’s 42nd World Cup
Jesse Grupper | Chamonix will be Grupper’s 37th World Cup
Sergey Lakhno | Chamonix will be Lakhno’s fourth World Cup

Women’s Lead Athletes

Adriene Akiko Clark | Chamonix will be Clark’s 22nd World Cup
Quinn Mason | Chamonix will be Mason’s 25th World Cup
Brooke Raboutou | Chamonix will be Raboutou’s 43rd World Cup
Annie Sanders | Chamonix will be Sanders’ 23rd World Cup

Men’s Speed Athletes

Sam Watson | Chamonix will be Watson’s 22nd World Cup
Zach Hammer | Chamonix will be Hammer’s 20th World Cup
Michael Hom | Chamonix will be Hom’s fifth World Cup
Merritt Ernsberger | Chamonix will be Ernsberger’s 10th World Cup
Logan Schlecht | Chamonix will be Schlecht’s fifth World Cup
Noah Bratschi | Chamonix will be Bratschi’s 28th World Cup

Women’s Speed Athletes

Emma Hunt | Chamonix will be Hunt’s 20th World Cup
Piper Kelly | Chamonix will be Kelly’s 20th World Cup
Sophie Curcio | Chamonix will be Curcio’s 21st World Cup
Isis Rothfork | Chamonix will be Rothfork’s 13th World Cup
Madi Walsh | Chamonix will be Walsh’s second World Cup
Emiko Takeuchi | Chamonix will be Takeuchi’s second World Cup

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

USA Climbing today announced a significant calendar update: the YETI National Championships will move from October 2025 to February 2026. The new timing, set just ahead of the 2026 National Team Trials Presented by YETI in March, is aimed at better serving athlete performance and national team selection.

The YETI National Championships will crown six national champions across the Boulder, Lead, and Speed disciplines and serve as one of two elite team selection events (the other being the National Team Trials Presented by YETI).

The changes comes in response to feedback provided by the USA Climbing Athletes’ Commission and in coordination with USA Climbing’s partners. Holding the two selection events closer together and nearer the start of the IFSC World Cup season could result in more consistent performance from athletes and provide them with a meaningful off-season following the World Cup circuit.

“This change is an important step in supporting the long-term success of our athletes,” said Marc Norman, President and CEO of USA Climbing. “By acting on athlete feedback, we hope to improve the team selection process and performance of our competitors.”

Further details on the exact dates and location of the YETI National Championships will be announced later this year.

The 2025 Youth National Championships took place at Portland Rock Gym Beaverton in Portland, Oregon from June 27–July 2. Over 800 competitors traveled from more than 40 youth teams across the US to compete in all three disciplines. Athletes aged 12–19-years-old competed across four age categories.

Boulder Podiums

U20
Patrick Daly (U20M) and Kelly Ng (U20F)
Brenden Beauchamp (U20M) and Sovarae Sanders (U20F)
Aami Agado (U20M) and Charlotte Wylde (U20F)

Notably, both Daly and Beauchamp topped all of their Finals climbs, with their ultimate scores separated by attempts. With this being Ng’s last year in the USA Climbing youth circuit, she ended strongly as a 2x consecutive U20 Boulder Youth National Champion.

U19
Nathaniel Perullo (U19M) and Alexandra Inghilterra (U19F)
Declan Osgood (U19M) and Carly Alba (U19F)
Auggie Chi (U19M) and Naomi Lahaie (U19F)

Notably, Chi was both the 2022 and 2021 U15M and the 2020 U13 Boulder Youth National Champion. This is Lahaie’s first time on the national podium, and although it’s Inghilterra’s first time on the Boulder national podium, she has had numerous podium placements in Lead since 2023.

U17
Jackson Dendy (U17M) and Lucy Duncan (U17F)
Banlu Rogaway (U17M) and Kailyn Leong (U17F)
Landers Gaydosh (U17M) and Evelyn Orton (U17F)

Notably, Rogaway won the U17M Boulder Youth National Championship in 2024 and the U15M Boulder Youth National Championship in 2023. Orton claimed the U17F Boulder Youth National Champion title in 2024, while Jackson and Leong earned their first national podium finishes.

U15
Bayes Wilder (U15M) and Kalaya Lucas (U15F)
Takumi Morita (U15M) and Leina Okamoto (U15F)
Nathan Johnson (U15M) and Adi Violini (U15F)

Notably, Wilder is the 2x consecutive Youth National Champion for both U15M Boulder and Lead. For Violini, this was her first USA Climbing Youth National Championship.

Lead/Top Rope Podiums

U20
Nathan Sato (U20M) and Charlotte Wylde (U20F)
Brenden Beauchamp (U20M) and Alyssa Keanini (U20F)
Nathanial Rogers (U20M) and Isabella Orner (U20F)

Notably, all three U20M athletes on the podium topped their Finals route. Both Sato and Beauchamp also recently competed in the 2025 USA Climbing National Team Trials.

U19
Bryce Nix (U19M) and Zoe Yi (U19F)
Anderson Fuhrer (U19M) and Alexandra Inghilterra (U19F)
Wesley Smith (U19M) and Claire Larson (U19F)

In the U19F category, Inghilterra and Larson both shared the same score of 35. Nix was also the 2023 U15M Lead Youth National Champion.

U17
Landers Gaydosh (U17M) and Khadija Magali Suleman (U17F)
Mitchell Boyer (U17M) and Evelyn Orton (U17F)
Benjamin Rose-Innes (U17M) and Isabelle Case (U17F)

Notably, Suleman was the 2024 U17 Lead Youth National Champion.

U15
Bayes Wilder (U15M) and Isabel Patajo (U15F)
Takumi Morita (U15M) and Ada Lepak (U15F)
Jackson Day (U15M) and Ella Music (U15F)

Notably, all three U15M athletes on the podium topped their Finals route, as did the athlete in fourth place. In the U15F category, Patajo earned first place by just one positive motion point.

Speed Podiums

U20
Logan Miner (U20M) and Isabel Piotrowski (U20F)
Skyler Mengerink (U20M) and Alyssa Keanini (U20F)
Kaden Kang (U20M) and Angilee Cheah (U20F)

Notably, Miner and Mengerink were separated by only 0.169 seconds. Both athletes have been to the IFSC Climbing Youth World Championships for Speed.

U19
Lucas Vales (U19M) and Madi Walsh (U19F)
Taede Mai (U19M) and Lily Staudt (U19F)
William Eaton (U19M) and Micaela Patajo (U19F)

Vales, Walsh, Mai, and Patajo have each competed in at least one IFSC Climbing World Cup in Speed.

U17
Khoi Tran (U17M) and Evie Albrecht (U17F)
Austin Bock (U17M) and Bella Wargo (U17F)
Owen Gerber (U17M) and Olivia Yandora (U17F)

Notably, Albrecht and Bock were the U17 Speed champions at the USA Climbing 2024 Youth National Championships.

U15
Kevin Trotter (U15M) and Quinn Tankersley (U15F)
Nathan Johnson (U15M) and Isabel Patajo (U15F)
Sartaaj Singh (U15M) and Layla Schmook (U15F)

2025 Overall Team Ranking
Team Texas
Rock City Climbing Team
Team Momentum

As of 2025, Team Texas has earned at least 16 Youth National Team Championship titles. Founded in 1996, they are one of the most successful youth climbing teams in the US, with standout alumni including Annie Sanders. Their coaching staff also features IFSC World Cup athletes Merritt Ernsberger, Ellis Ernsberger, and Liberty Runnels.

You can rewatch the 2025 Youth National Championships at any time on the USA Climbing YouTube channel. Full results can be found here. Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

Innsbruck, Austria, hosted its fifth consecutive IFSC Climbing World Cup from June 25 to 29 at Kletterzentrum Innsbruck — the world’s largest climbing gym. More than 185 athletes from 42 countries and territories competed against the stunning backdrop of the Austrian Alps. 13 athletes from Team USA competed in both Lead and Boulder, including Olympians Colin Duffy and Jesse Grupper.

Annie Sanders, Colin Duffy, Jesse Grupper and Adriene Akiko Clark all advanced to Semi-Finals, with Sanders, Duffy, and Grupper ultimately securing spots in Finals.

Grupper Has Standout Performance in Lead Semi-Finals and Finals

In Semi-Finals, Olympian Jesse Grupper was strategic about every move he made, switching quickly from one hold to another. Grupper appeared confident the entire way until he was the only athlete left on the wall. With just one minute remaining, Grupper looked back at the audience with a smile before jumping for the second-to-last hold. This high point undoubtedly pushed him into Finals.

Grupper fought impressively on his Finals route but fell while crossing from one pocket to another. After a few seconds of fighting to stay on with no foothold, he fell, finishing Finals in eighth place. His last IFSC World Cup finals appearance was in Koper in 2023.

Also representing Team USA in the Qualification round were Colin Duffy, who placed 30th after recently competing in Boulder Finals, and Sergey Lakhno, who placed 32nd.

Sanders Thrills Crowd in Lead Finals

Annie Sanders approached the wall during Semi-Finals as the sky darkened over the Austrian Alps. Her performance was seamless — at one point holding a sloper with a two-finger drag before resting in a strenuous toe hook where Adriene Akiko Clark had previously used a heel hook.

In Finals, after one full minute on the wall, Sanders reached the crux. She matched hands, cut her feet, and used all her momentum to campus herself to a jug as the crowd roared. Sanders continued climbing until the 47-second mark, finishing Finals in fifth place.

During Adriene Akiko Clark’s Semi-Final round, she saved herself from a foot slip and used her strong technique to finish in 15th place.

Also representing Team USA in the qualification round were Ella Fisher, who tied for 35th with one other athlete, and Maya Madere, who tied for 63rd with one other athlete.

Sanders Leads Women’s Category for Team USA in Boulder Finals

After tying for first in the Qualification round, Annie Sanders stayed ahead in Semi-Finals with her standout move coming on W2. Going feet-first to the zone, Sanders followed her feet slowly before getting upright to the finish. Sanders gave a look of relief when she topped — an unusual sight from the typically stoic climber.

Sanders was challenged again in Finals by moves that demanded intense focus and strategy. W1 required a hand jam between two wooden volumes, which Sanders attempted to hold in every way possible. Her high endurance allowed her to down-climb and rest for nearly a minute as if she were climbing a lead route. Her highlight in Finals came on W3, when she topped while balancing on a small foot chip.

Sanders finished Finals in sixth place with one top and two zones.

With the Boulder World Cup Series now completed, Sanders finished 3rd overall.

Also competing in Semi-Finals was Adriene Akiko Clark, who perfectly executed a double-foot lunge on W1 before quickly resetting to top the problem. Clark finished the round in 20th with one top and one zone.

Also representing Team USA in the Qualification round were Helen Gillett in 30th, just ahead of Cloe Coscoy who finished in 31st place, tied with three other athletes. Nekaia Sanders followed closely behind in 35th. Finally, Ella Fisher finished in 43rd tied with two other athletes.

Duffy Leads Men’s Category for Team USA in Boulder Finals

Fresh off his performance at Bern, Olympian Colin Duffy reached a similar standing in Boulder Semi-Finals through intense heat and pressure. M1 was especially technical, with every individual move requiring an entirely different skillset. Duffy didn’t seem to have much of a problem when on his fourth attempt and seconds before the buzzer, he completed the two-part coordination dyno to the finish. After a deserved celebration from the crowd, the successful attempt bumped Duffy from 18th to 12th place. Only three other athletes completed the same move—all of them eventual podium finishers.

Duffy ended Semi-Finals in 16th after achieving one more zone on M4.

Also representing Team USA in the Qualification round were Vail Everett in 45th tied with one other athlete, Benjamin Hanna in 63rd tied with six others, and Joshua Gerhardt in 105th tied with one other athlete.

Full results from the IFSC Climbing World Cup Innsbruck 2025 can be found here. You can rewatch the Finals on the IFSC YouTube Channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

World Cup season continues this weekend in Innsbruck, Austria! 13 athletes from Team USA, including Olympian Colin Duffy, will be in attendance. The event will feature both Boulder and Lead, with four athletes competing in both disciplines.

The event runs from June 25–29 at the same venue as the IFSC Para Climbing World Cup 2025, which is scheduled just beforehand. Kletterzentrum Innsbruck, the world’s largest climbing gym, also serves as the national training center for the Austrian National Climbing Team.

How to Livestream the World Cup

You can watch the IFSC World Cup Innsbruck 2025 Semi-Final and Final rounds live (or on-demand at any time after the event) on the IFSC YouTube channel, starting with the Men’s Boulder Qualification on Wednesday, June 25th at 1:00 a.m. MDT and ending with the Women’s Lead Finals on Sunday, June 29th at 11:40 a.m. MDT.

USA Climbing Athletes Who Are Competing

Men’s Boulder Athletes

Colin Duffy | Innsbruck will be Duffy’s 40th World Cup
Joshua Gerhardt | Innsbruck will be Gerhardt’s sixth World Cup
Benjamin Hanna | Innsbruck will be Hanna’s 31st World Cup
Vail Everett | Innsbruck will be Everett’s fifth World Cup
Sergey Lakhno | Innsbruck will be Lakhno’s third World Cup
Jesse Grupper | Innsbruck will be Grupper’s 33rd World Cup

Women’s Boulder Athletes

Maya Madere | Innsbruck will be Madere’s 24th World Cup
Ella Fisher | Innsbruck will be Fisher’s fifth World Cup
Adriene Akiko Clark | Innsbruck will be Clark’s 20th World Cup
Nekaia Sanders | Innsbruck will be Sanders’ eighth World Cup
Annie Sanders | Innsbruck will be Sanders’ 21st World Cup
Cloe Coscoy | Innsbruck will be Coscoy’s 25th World Cup
Helen Gillett | Innsbruck will be Gillett’s 11th World Cup

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

The IFSC Para Climbing World Cup series continues with the second event of the season in Innsbruck, Austria! This is the third time a Para Climbing World Cup has been held in Innsbruck. 39 USA athletes across 17 categories will be competing. For two USA athletes, this will be their first World Cup. A guide to all Para categories can be found here.

The event will take place at Kletterzentrum Innsbruck, the largest climbing gym in the world, from June 23-24.

How To Watch

You can watch the IFSC Para Climbing World Cup Innsbruck 2025 Finals live (or on-demand at any time after the event) on the IFSC YouTube Channel, with Qualification beginning on Monday, June 23rd at 1:00 a.m. MDT. Finals for every category will start on Tuesday, June 24th at 8:30 a.m. MDT.

USA Climbing Athletes Who Are Competing

Men B1

• Ahmad Seyar Rahimi | Innsbruck will be Rahimi’s second World Cup

Men B3

• Gordon Fralick | Innsbruck will be Fralick’s second World Cup

Women B1

• Gina Applebee | Innsbruck will be Applebee’s second World Cup

Women B2

• Seneida Biendarra | Innsbruck will be Biendarra’s fourth World Cup

Women B3

• Linn Poston | Innsbruck will be Poston’s third World Cup
• Phoebe Barkan | Innsbruck will be Barkan’s fourth World Cup
• Jessica Semmel | Innsbruck will be Semmel’s second World Cup

Men AL1

• Garrison Redd | Innsbruck will be Redd’s second World Cup

Women AL1

• Andrea Wilson | Innsbruck will be Wilson’s second World Cup
• Brittany Chadbourne | Innsbruck will be Chadbourne’s third World Cup

Men AL2

• Raphael Misael | Innsbruck will be Misael’s first World Cup
• Corey Ramos | Innsbruck will be Ramos’ second World Cup
• Ethan Zilz | Innsbruck will be Zilz’s third World Cup 7th World Cup

Men AU2

• Dylan Restek | Innsbruck will be Restek’s fourth World Cup
• Matthew Lynch | Innsbruck will be Lynch’s 11th World Cup
• Brian Zarzuela | Innsbruck will be Zarzuela’s 9th World Cup

Women AU2

• Elise Morley | Innsbruck will be Morley’s second World Cup
• Isabel Benvenuti | Innsbruck will be Benvenuti’s fifth World Cup

Men RP1

• Alan Belyea | Innsbruck will be Belyea’s second World Cup
• Connor King | Innsbruck will be King’s fourth World Cup

Men RP2

• Benjamin Mayforth | Innsbruck will be Mayforth’s 12th World Cup
• Johnny Quintana | Innsbruck will be Quintana’s second World Cup
• Brayden Butler | Innsbruck will be Butler’s 9th World Cup

Men RP3

• Dennis Connors | Innsbruck will be Connors’ second World Cup
• Deva Ramireddy | Innsbruck will be Ramireddy’s second World Cup
• Ian Gleason | Innsbruck will be Gleason’s fifth World Cup
• Oliver Carnazzo | Innsbruck will be Carnazzo’s third World Cup

Women RP1

• Melissa Ruiz | Innsbruck will be Ruiz’s 11th World Cup
• Hanna Zook | Innsbruck will be Zook’s 11th World Cup
• Jackie Stewart | Innsbruck will be Stewart’s second World Cup
• Tiffany Yu | Innsbruck will be Yu’s first World Cup
• Chelsea Urse | Innsbruck will be Urse’s First World Cup

Women RP2

• Caroline Winstel | Innsbruck will be Winstel’s 8th World Cup
• Emily Seelenfreund | Innsbruck will be Seelenfreund’s fifth World Cup
• Anna Devries | Innsbruck will be Devries’ second World Cup

Women RP3

• Lindsay Purcell | Innsbruck will be Purcell’s 10th World Cup
• Crystal Martin | Innsbruck will be Martin’s second World Cup
• Nat Vorel | Innsbruck will be Vorel’s sixth World Cup

Men AU3

• Mason Keough | Innsbruck will be Keough’s second World Cup

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

Bern, Switzerland hosted its second Climbing World Cup from June 12–15, drawing 170 athletes from 41 countries and territories to the newly opened BERNEXPO venue near the Aare River. Among the competitors were 10 athletes from Team USA, including Olympians Kyra Condie and Colin Duffy. All of Team USA’s female athletes arrived in Bern fresh off a strong showing at the IFSC Climbing World Cup in Prague earlier this month.

Annie Sanders, Kyra Condie, and Colin Duffy all advanced to Semi-Finals, with Sanders and Duffy ultimately securing spots in Finals.

Duffy Leads Men’s Category for Team USA in Finals

In Semi-Finals, Colin Duffy topped M1 on his 7th attempt with one minute left after repeatedly reaching the zone move. Because of this last-minute score, Duffy was tied with two other athletes for 7th place for nearly the entire Semi-Finals round. Eventually, after achieving a zone on the aggressive M3 climb on his third attempt, Duffy ended the day tied with only one other athlete. Notably, Duffy fell on the last move of M3.

In Finals, Duffy maintained his 7th place standing, earning zones on M2 and M4—both on his second attempt. While a few coordination slips impacted his overall score, he excelled on the slower, compression-heavy problems.

Also representing Team USA in the Qualification round were Vail Everett in 57th, Joshua Gerhardt in 71st, and Benjamin Hanna in 77th, each finishing in a tie with at least one other athlete.

Annie Sanders Takes Silver After Three-Way Tie in Semi-Finals

In Semi-Finals, Annie Sanders squeezed into Finals in a three-way tie with two other athletes, all of whom achieved a score of 54.3 (with one top and four zones). Sanders’ buzzer-beater top of W4 pushed Olympian Kyra Condie out of Finals by just 0.2 points. Notably, Sanders was the only athlete to top the problem. In Finals, Sanders slowly cruised the technical movement needed to flash W1 and W2—which she executed perfectly. Despite competing in back-to-back World Cups, Sanders showed no signs of fatigue, climbing with her signature calm and confident demeanor. She finished Finals with a silver medal, her fourth World Cup medal this season and eighth overall.

Although she narrowly missed Finals, Condie had an impressive Semi-Final round as the only athlete to top the heavily coordination-dependent W1 problem—a moment that left even her surprised as she turned to the crowd in disbelief. Though that would be her only top of the round, she secured zones on the remaining three climbs, all within three attempts.

Also representing Team USA in the Qualification round were Cloe Coscoy in 29th, Helen Gillett in 31st, Nekaia Sanders in 35th (tied with one other athlete), and Adriene Akiko Clark in 37th (tied with one other athlete).

Women’s Podium:
Erin McNeice (GBR)
Annie Sanders (USA)
Miho Nanaka (JPN)

Full results from the IFSC Climbing World Cup Bern 2025 can be found here. You can rewatch the Finals on the IFSC YouTube Channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

The fourth competition of the 2025 North American Cup Series (NACS) continued this weekend in Vail, Colorado at the GoPro Mountain Games featuring competitors in both Speed and Boulder. The series, which allows athletes from the Americas to compete at an elite level outside of the World Cup circuit, saw participation by rising talent from both the World Cup and Olympic circuit.

An incredible 266 athletes traveled to Vail Ski Resort, with 65 of those athletes competing in Speed at Nature Valley Mountain Plaza. Meanwhile, 210 competed in Boulder at The Hangout at Golden Peak. This is the first time Speed has joined the North American Cup Vail, with both disciplines being held outside, framed by Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

Hunt Surprises Nobody With Gold Performance at First North American Cup Vail

An hour after qualifying for Boulder Finals, Olympian Emma Hunt stepped up to the Speed wall—without her harness. After a quick laugh, she cruised through the 1/8 round with a time of 6.99 seconds, then closed out Finals with a time of 6.44 seconds. Though commentators noted the event was more lighthearted for her, Hunt still came close to her personal best.

Despite her Olympic experience, this is Hunt’s first appearance at the North American Cup Vail, largely because Speed climbing—her specialty—wasn’t previously included. With its recent addition, that’s beginning to change not only for Hunt, but for the rest of the podium.

Olympian Piper Kelly took Silver, finishing the Final round in 7.39 seconds against fellow Olympian Hunt, while Liberty Runnels claimed Bronze with a time of 8.11 seconds in the Small Final over Kailer Kordewick. In the last move of Runnels’ 1/4 round, she pulled ahead of Emiko Takeuchi, beating her to the next round by 0.08 seconds. Like Hunt, both Kelly and Runnels are relative newcomers to the NACS circuit, taking advantage of Speed’s long-awaited debut.

Women’s Speed Podium: 

Emma Hunt (USA)
Piper Kelly (USA)
Liberty Runnels (USA)

Hom Has Stand-out Performance at First North American Cup Vail

Michael Hom, after racing several of his Sender One teammates earlier in the bracket, faced Dylan Le in the Final round, clocking a time of 5.18 seconds. His fastest run of the competition, however, came in the 1/2 round, where he posted a time of 5.14 seconds. Hom decisively earned Gold, with all competitors trailing him by at least half a second.

Dylan Le took Silver after racing against Hom in the Final, with his fastest time of 5.73 seconds during the 1/8 round. Lucas Vales took Bronze with his fastest time of 5.90 seconds during the 1/8 round, racing neck-and-neck alongside his competitors almost every round. Like Hom, both Le and Vales are relatively new to the NACS circuit despite prior IFSC World Cup experience, and are now taking full advantage of Speed’s long-awaited inclusion.

Men’s Speed Podium: 

Michael Hom (USA)
Dylan Le (USA)
Lucas Vales (USA)

Countryman Jumps From Fifth to Gold 

Dillon Countryman narrowly beat Hugo Dorval to Gold after both athletes topped the same number of climbs. However, Countryman prevailed by flashing M3 and M4. Shorter than most of his fellow competitors, Countryman was able to fit into the wingspan boxes intended by the setters on most of his climbs. This asset helped him on M1, where with 15 seconds left, Countryman flew off the finishing hold after being the closest athlete to top it.

Climbing from fifth place in Semi-Finals to first in Finals, Countryman was asked what switched for him between both rounds.

“I just remind myself that anything can happen, and that I just need to keep my composure together, and whatever happens, happens,” Countryman said.

This jump in placement didn’t just happen to Countryman, and in fact, happened to every athlete on the Finals podium. Hugo Dorval and Simon Hibbeler also finished Semi-Finals off the podium in sixth and seventh place respectively, with Countryman and Dorval technically having the same score separated by attempts.

Their similar abilities became clearer when Dorval, the only athlete to flash M2, finished just behind Countryman in Finals, earning him Silver. Dorval’s precise footwork gave him the confidence not only to top M4 statically, but to also throw a dyno to the finish—even after securing the top. Meanwhile, Hibbeler squeezed through to Bronze, managing to statically span moves that his opponents had to jump for. Hibbeler finished Finals with the same technical score as Dorval of 84.6. However, Hibbeler took one more attempt on M2, which bumped him down to Bronze.

Men’s Boulder Podium: 

Dillon Countryman (USA)
Hugo Dorval (CAN)
Simon Hibbeler (USA)

Arnold Tops Every Climb and Takes First Gold

Courtney Arnold is a frequent NACS competitor but had never podiumed—until now. Her strong skills were on full display on W1, where she became the first athlete to balance on the incredibly shallow second volume before reaching the top on her second attempt. Her reaction showed just how shocked she was, with the roaring crowd reassuring her.

With her confidence at an all-time high, Arnold went on to top every climb—something no other athlete was able to do. Arnold finished Finals with a score of 99.2.

Norah Chi, a veteran in both the NACS and youth series, made extremely quick progress on every one of her climbs, flashing every one but W3, which she fell on during the last move with 15 seconds left on the clock. Notably, the only athlete to make it past the zone on W3 was Arnold. Still, Chi showed incredible control and composure to make every attempt her best, which was shown by her repeated flashes. Despite her slip, Chi finished Finals in Silver with a score of 85.0. Finally, after just winning Gold in Speed Finals, Olympian Emma Hunt took Bronze at her first Boulder NACS, topping W1 and flashing W4. Hunt finished Finals with a score of 59.9.

Women’s Boulder Podium: 

Courtney Arnold (USA)
Norah Chi (USA)
Emma Hunt (USA)

You can rewatch the Semi-Final and Final rounds of the 2025 NACS Vail at any time on the USA Climbing YouTube Channel. The next NACS competition will be hosted by Climbing Escalade Canada from June 21-22 in Edmonton, Canada and will feature the Lead and Speed disciplines.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for future updates and behind-the-scenes action.

Denver, Colorado hosted its first-ever IFSC Climbing World Cup this past weekend, marking the third Speed World Cup of the season. The event drew 82 athletes from 19 countries and territories, including 19 competitors representing Team USA. Among them were four Olympians—Zach Hammer, Emma Hunt, Piper Kelly, and Sam Watson—as well as every medalist from the season’s previous Speed World Cups. For five Team USA athletes, this event marked their World Cup debut.

The competition unfolded on May 31 and June 1 in the heart of downtown Denver on 16th Street. Despite unexpected weather disrupting and ultimately ending the all-outdoor event early, the results remained official. Final rankings were based on the top eight athletes’ fastest times during Qualification. Under these circumstances, three Olympians from Team USA earned gold, silver, and bronze.

Hunt Claims Her Second Gold

9 women represented Team USA at the IFSC World Cup Denver 2025, with Emma Hunt advancing to Finals. 

Olympian Emma Hunt breezed through the Qualification rounds after her opponent slipped during her first race, then matched her Pan American record of 6.36 seconds in her second run. Hunt had a chance the next day to compete in the 1/8 round before the weather rolled in, maintaining her gold status with a time of 6.49 seconds. This marks Hunt’s second time earning gold, though she expressed mixed feelings about the win due to the conditions.

“Good, a little weird, but good. It’s weird because I only did three races to get the medal. I would have loved to have done all the races but that’s the weather,” Hunt said. “It was super cool to have had the chance to do a few laps in front of a home crowd, and I hope we can come back to Denver.”
Also representing Team USA for Speed in the Qualification round were Liberty Runnels, Emiko Takeuchi, Lily Nguyen, Micaela Patajo, Madi Walsh, Isis Rothfork, Sophia Curcio, and Piper Kelly. Piper Kelly and Lily Nguyen raced side by side as teammates with Kelly prevailing in 8th place, setting a personal best of 7.02 seconds. In a post-race interview, Kelly expressed her satisfaction.

“It was the best qualification I ever had actually. IFSC PB’s in both practice and quali runs so I am super psyched to have such a good comp in front of my hometown crowd,” Kelly said.
Denver marked Nguyen’s second World Cup, where she placed 24th with a time of 8.39 seconds.

Rothfork was almost exactly evenly matched with her opponent, winning by only 0.334 seconds and coming in 15th even though she fell on her second run. Walsh wasn’t far behind with 7.79 seconds in 17th. During her second run, Rothfork raced side by side with Runnels. Curcio was close by in 19th place with 7.93 seconds. Although she had a slower start, Patajo propelled to the buzzer with a time of 8.32 seconds as her opponent slipped and couldn’t recover as well. Patajo finished in 22nd, .05 seconds in front of Runnels, who raced alongside Takeuchi. Runnels prevailed in 23rd after Takeuchi stuttered at the beginning, landing her in 26th at her first World Cup.

Women’s Podium:
Emma Hunt (USA)
Natalie Kalucka (POL)
Lijuan Deng (CHN)

Hammer and Watson Podium Back to Back

10 men represented Team USA at the IFSC World Cup Denver 2025, with Michael Hom, Zach Hammer and Sam Watson advancing to Finals. 

Olympian Zach Hammer raced alongside Merritt Ernsberger in the Qualification round, where Ernsberger prevailed, setting a personal best of 5.27 seconds after Hammer slipped unexpectedly. During his second round, Hammer made up for that slip-up with a stunning run that ended in 4.88 seconds, giving him not only the silver medal but also a new personal best. When asked how it felt to podium in front of his home crowd, Hammer couldn’t contain his excitement.

“When I walked out onto the stage for finals, I honestly don’t think I have had a larger crowd cheering for me at any competition so that really lit a fire in me,” Hammer said.

That fire earned him another sub-five-second run of 4.99 seconds in the Round of 16 during Finals. Olympian Sam Watson has already set multiple world records this season, and recorded two sub-five-second runs during Qualification. He ultimately finished just behind Hammer, missing silver by only 0.1 second and taking bronze instead.

Meanwhile, Ernsberger chipped away at his personal best by 0.11 seconds during his second race, placing him in 17th.

Hom set a new personal best of 5.09 seconds in the Qualification round, then returned to set a personal best of 5.08 seconds in Finals.

Also representing Team USA for Speed in the Qualification round were Logan Schlecht, Noah Bratschi, Ben Jennings, Zaden Rogers, Taede Mai, and Aidan Goddard.

Jennings and Schlecht ranked 30th and 31st respectively, separated by only 0.1 second. For Schlecht, Denver marked not only his World Cup debut, but also a new personal best of 5.38 seconds compared to his previous record of 5.45 seconds. Meanwhile, Jennings finished with 5.37 seconds, beating his own personal best of 5.49 seconds after missing it by only 0.1 seconds during his first run.

Bratschi climbed almost completely in unison with his opponent before falling just shy of his personal best of 5.35 seconds with a time of 5.46 seconds. Finishing in 33rd place, Denver marked Bratschi’s 26th World Cup, making him the US athlete with the most World Cup experience in the entire competition. Goddard placed 35th, 0.05 seconds ahead of Rogers who finished 37th with a time of 5.56 seconds. Denver marked Rogers’ World Cup debut, as well as the day that he beat his personal best by a whole 3.16 seconds.

Mai also made his World Cup debut this weekend, finishing his first run in 8.64 seconds even after two slips. He recovered during his second race with 6.81 seconds, landing him in 49th.

Men’s Podium:
Kiromal Katibin (INA)
Zach Hammer (USA)
Samuel Watson (USA)

IFSC Climbing World Cup Denver 2025 Team Ranking:
United States (USA)
China (CHN)
Italy (ITA)

Full results from the IFSC Climbing World Cup 2025 can be found here. You can rewatch the Finals on the IFSC YouTube Channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

This past weekend, 18 Team USA athletes competed on home turf in Salt Lake City, Utah for the IFSC Climbing World Cup. Hosted at USA Climbing’s National Training Center, which serves as the go-to training location for much of Team USA, athletes traveled from 28 countries and territories across four continents. It was the first World Cup of the season held in North America, welcoming an ecstatic crowd of more than 3,500 spectators.

Sanders Claims 2nd Bronze This Season 

10 women represented Team USA at the IFSC World Cup Salt Lake City 2025, with Annie Sanders advancing to Finals. Following Sanders in Semi-Finals were Helen Gillett, Kyra Condie, and Cloe Coscoy. 

Annie Sanders advanced to Finals after topping every climb in Semi-Finals. Once in Finals, she quickly flashed W1, executing a smooth swing into a compression move before settling into a full split. With the crowd roaring behind her, Sanders spent two whole minutes on the wall, noting the crowd’s enthusiasm in a post-competition interview.

“The crowd was insane today,” said Sanders after her win. “They definitely brought a lot of energy and I’m super grateful for this sport!”

Sanders also earned a flash on W2, executing the crux foot-switch perfectly, staying composed and focused the entire time. Although her streak of flashes ended there, Sanders went into another full split on W3 before successfully crimping a thumb catch—again captivating the audience. Sanders, Zélia Avezou of France, and Oriane Bertone of France all tied with a score of 70.0 points, separated only by their performances earlier in the competition.

Women’s Podium:
Mao Nakamura (JPN)
Zélia Avezou (FRA)
Annie Sanders (USA)

Gillett Achieves Personal Best at a World Cup

Competing in Semi-Finals were Helen Gillett, Kyra Condie, and Cloe Coscoy. Gillett has fewer World Cup appearances than her fellow competitors, with her debut on the world stage being in 2023. Since then, Gillett has placed consistently in Qualification rounds and achieved her first Semi-Final in Curitiba just a few weeks ago. This weekend, Gillett achieved a standout performance in the Qualification round.

“I got zone on the last boulder, which was also a slab, and that zone is what put me into the Semi-Final. I’m really excited. Brazil was my first Semi-Final, and I was definitely feeling the pressure. I didn’t feel very light-hearted, and I’m feeling much more present and ready to go here. So, yeah, I’m excited to throw it down and climb how I know I can,” Gillett said after finding out she made Semi-Finals.

This time, her flash of W1 in the Semi-Final round, combined with judges granting her a second chance at W3 after a judging error, set the stage for Finals. Unfortunately, although Gillett had the same score as the athlete who took 8th place, the tie was broken according to the athlete’s Qualification scores, which bumped Gillett out of her potential first World Cup Finals. Despite the tie-break, Gillett achieved her best World Cup result to date and finished Semi-Finals in 9th.

Meanwhile, Kyra Condie placed 15th, with her most notable performance being on W1 where she secured a flash after nearly slipping on the second to last hold. Cloe Coscoy trailed just behind Condie in 18th, falling off the last hold of W2 but finishing W1 on her fourth attempt after using the edge of a sloped volume as an intermediate.

Also representing the USA in the Qualification round were Quinn Mason in 25th and Nekaia Sanders in 29th. Notably, Adriene Akiko Clark and Nekaia Sanders tied for 29th. Meanwhile, Maya Madere and Ella Fisher scored back to back in 39th and 40th, respectively. Finally, Paloma Slowik placed 36th in her first-ever World Cup appearance.

Duffy Astonishes Hometown Crowd in First Finals of the Season

8 men represented Team USA at the IFSC World Cup Salt Lake City 2025, with Colin Duffy advancing to Finals and Adam Shahar advancing to Semi-Finals. 

Colin Duffy found himself in his first Finals of the season, with this performance being his third World Cup since his Olympic debut in 2024. Just shy of the podium, Duffy placed 4th after two well-executed tops in the Final. In fact, he was one of only two Finalists (the other being Sohta Amagasa of Korea) to top M1, setting a good tone for the round. The crowd erupted as Duffy Houdini matched, rapidly swapping one hand for another in a coordinated execution, on both M1 and M2. Duffy finished the round with 59.6 points and excitement for future competitions.

“It was incredible to have the home crowd advantage,” said Duffy after competing. “I got to feed off that energy and had a great round.”

Adam Shahar also competed in Semi-Finals finishing in 23rd, with this being his first World Cup of the season. Shahar fought until the buzzer on every climb, giving everything he had on each attempt.

Also representing the USA in the Qualification round was Alexander Waller in 27th, Benjamin Hanna in 39th, Cozmo Rothfork in 45th (his first-ever World Cup appearance), Vail Everett in 49th, and Joshua Gerhardt and Isaac Leff, who both tied for 53rd.

IFSC Climbing World Cup Salt Lake City 2025 Team Ranking:
Japan (JPN)
France (FRA)
United States (USA)

You can rewatch the IFSC World Cup Salt Lake City 2025 on the IFSC YouTube Channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.

This week, 171 athletes representing 24 countries traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah to compete in the IFSC Para Climbing World Cup, hosted at Momentum Indoor Climbing Fort Union. Among those were 68 US athletes, 21 of whom advanced to Finals. Team USA ultimately won 14 medals at the event and secured the overall combined team ranking.

Full results from the 2025 IFSC Para Climbing World Cup can be found here. You can rewatch the Finals round on the IFSC YouTube Channel.

Team Ranking:

United States (USA)
Japan (JPN)
Germany (GER)

WRP3: Vorel Becomes 3x Consecutive Gold Medalist 

Nat Vorel took Gold for the third time in a row with 40 points. Having also placed first in the Qualification round, Vorel didn’t shock the audience much when they easily pulled off a campus swing at the crux, before falling at the second to last hold while attempting a bump.

WRP3 Podium:

Nat Vorel (USA)
Momoko Yoshida (JPN)
Marina Dias (BRA)

MRP2: Butler Takes First Gold by One Positive Motion Point

Brayden Butler took his first Gold with a score of 46+. This being his eighth Para World Cup, Butler performed calmly despite tying for third in the Qualification round.

MRP2 Podium:

Brayden Butler (USA)
Manikandan Kumar (IND)
Philipp Hrozek (GER)

MAU2: Zarzuela Becomes 4x World Cup Gold Medallist

Brian Zarzuela claimed his fourth career Gold, marking his ninth appearance at a Para World Cup. Also winning first in the Qualification round, Zarzuela switched confidently between both dynamic and technical movement during his Finals climb, boasting a drop-knee at the crux while earning a dramatic positive motion point when he leaped and fell higher up in the route. His final score came out to 48+, with Trevor Smith trailing slightly behind him with a score of 42. Smith earned Silver after he impressively wedged himself between volumes and slopers. Though not nearly as seasoned a competitor as Zarzuela, Smith was right behind him in both the Qualification and Finals round.

MAU2 Podium: 

Brian Zarzuela (USA)
Trevor Smith (USA)
Sebastien Musson (GBR)

WRP1: USA Dominates Podium in WRP1 Category 

All competitors in both the Qualification and Finals round were all US athletes. Taking her first Gold was Hannah Zook, who with a score of 15 points was one hold higher than Melissa Ruiz who had a score of 14 points. Ruiz, who took Silver, has now been to 10 Para World Cups — the exact same amount as Zook. In Bronze was Jackie Stewart with a score of 11+, who podiumed despite this being her first Para World Cup. Notably, Stewart placed second in the Qualification round above Zook, despite their difference in experience level. Both Zook and Ruiz are some of the most experienced athletes in the Para World Cup circuit, which goes to show the difficultly of the WRP1 route considering no athletes made it past the halfway point.

WRP1 Podium: 

Hannah Zook (USA)
Melissa Ruiz (USA)
Jackie Stewart (USA)

WB3: Poston Only Athlete to Top WB3 Route 

Her second time in a row winning Gold at a Para World Cup, Linn Poston earned her medal for being the only WB3 athlete to top the route. Additionally, Salt Lake City is only Poston’s second Para World Cup, meaning she has reigned supreme at every Para World Cup event she has attended for the WB3 category. Although tying with US athlete Phoebe Barkan in the Qualification round, Barkan ended Finals with a score of 32+, winning Bronze. Barkan achieved the same score as the fourth place winner, but was bumped to the podium due to time spent on the wall.

WB3 Podium: 

Linn Poston (USA)
Elsa Boutel Menard (FRA)
Phoebe Barkan (USA)

MB3: Martinez Loses Silver by One Positive Motion Point at 2nd Para World Cup 

Andrew Martinez, with a score of 41, lost his chance at Silver by one positive motion point. Still, Martinez climbs consistently, earning Bronze for the second year in a row at the same competition.

MB3 Podium: 

Cosmin Florin Candoi (ROU)
Daniel-Bebe-Vasilică Andrei (ROU)
Andrew Martinez (USA)

MAL2: Ramos Loses Gold by One Positive Motion Point at First Para World Cup 

At his first Para World Cup, Corey Ramos took Silver with a score of 44, shy of Gold by only one positive motion point.  Right behind Ramos was Ethan Zilz who took Bronze with a score of 38+, and used heel-hooks on almost every move he could find one on. Also in MAL2 was US athlete Kyle Long, who with a score of 43+ wound up in 6th place after attempting a bump to a crimp.

MAL2 Podium: 

Thierry Delarue (FRA)
Corey Ramos (USA)
Ethan Zilz (USA)

MAU3:  Keough Makes Podium at First Para World Cup 

Mason Keough tied for first in the Qualification round with two other athletes before taking his first Bronze at his first Para World Cup. Keough’s final score was 43, with US athlete Benen Parlmer bumped from the podium with a score of 31+. At one point, Keough climbed side by side with Brayden Butler on the MRP2 route. Salt Lake City was also Parlmer’s first Para World Cup, with a missed pocket being the reason for his fall.

MAU3 Podium: 

Mor Michael Sapir (ISR)
Dominic Geisseler (SUI)
Mason Keough (USA)

WAU2: Rubin Wins Bronze After Tie for Silver 

Eleanor Rubin, who has made bronze at three Para World Cups in the past, took Bronze again at her fifth Para World Cup with a score of 34+. Notably, Rubin had the same score as the athlete who took Silver, but was bumped to Bronze due to time spent on the wall.

Rubin was also on the wall at the same time as Corey Ramos and Melissa Ruiz, meaning that for the only time in the entire competition, only US athletes filled the stage.

WAU2 Podium: 

Solenne Piret (FRA)
Lucia Capovilla (ITA)
Eleanor Rubin (USA)

WAL2: Truscott Loses Bronze by Time at First Para World Cup

Kaitlyn Truscott, who tied with US athlete Morgan Loomis and one other athlete for third in the Qualification round, had the same score as the athlete awarded Silver in Finals. With a score of 30, Truscott was bumped off the podium due to time spent on the wall. This being Truscott’s first Para World Cup, she demonstrated impressive long rests along her route. Seemingly in the same range of ability as Truscott, Loomis finished Finals only one point behind with a score of 29.

WB1: Lakrout Just Shy of Podium 

Emeline Lakrout, with six Para World Cups under her belt, ended Finals with a score of 20 behind two athletes who tied, leaving her in fourth place just outside the podium. The last time Lakrout competed in the Salt Lake City World Cup, she came in eighth place, showing her progress since 2023.

MRP1: Martin Just Shy of Podium in Most Populated Category 

Paul Martin, with a score of 15, was just shy of the podium after experiencing a foot slip towards the bottom of the route. Notably, the MRP1 category is large compared to the rest, having 12 athletes competing in the Qualification round. Martin had high hopes in Finals, with his original placement in the Qualification round being 2nd place.

MAL1: Cislaw Misses Podium by One Point 

Tanner Cislaw, with a score of 38+, was only one point away from a Bronze placement. Cislaw is no stranger to Para World Cups, with this being his seventh event.

US athletes who competed in the Qualification round only: 

• Gordon Fralick (MB3),
• Diego Kusnir (MB3)
• Gina Applebee (WB1)
• Leah Grosjean (WB1)
• Ashley Colburn (WB1)
• Jessica Semmel (WB3)
• Amy Mullins (WB3)
• Paige Trotter (WB3)
• Jacob Rosenquist (MAL1)
• Carlos Quiles (MAL1)
• Jake Frank (MAL1)
• Garrison Redd (MAL1)
• Scott McKinney (MAL2)
• Lee Shaffer (MAL2)
• Kara Parker (WAL2)
• Hannah McFadden (WAL2)
• Daliya Hansen (WAL2)
• Dylan Restek (MAU2)
• Matthew Lynch (MAU2)
• Josephine Fouts (WAU2)
• Isabel Benvenuti (WAU2)
• Elise Morley (WAU2)
• Joshua Unterman (MRP1)
• Sunny Yang (MRP1)
• Connor King (MRP1)
• Johnny Quintana (MRP2)
• Dennis Connors (MRP2)
• Benjamin Mayforth (MRP2)
• Daniel Medina (MRP3)
• Deva Ramireddy (MRP3)
• Ian Gleason (MRP3)
• Oliver Carnazzo (MRP3)
• Mark Jourdian (MRP3)
• Ryan Juguan (MRP3)
• Karalyn Spurr (MRP3)
• Natalie Sullivan (MRP3)
• Caroline Winstel (WRP2)
• Megan Gleason (WRP2)
• Brenda Findley (WRP2)
• Crystal Martin (WRP3)
• Lindsay Purcell (WRP3)
• Laura Heaton (WRP3)
• Braden Shoop (MAU3)

Full results from the 2025 IFSC Para Climbing World Cup can be found here. You can rewatch the Finals on the IFSC YouTube Channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.