The World Climbing Para Series touched down in Gunsan, South Korea this past Thursday and Friday, and Team USA delivered across the board. From a 1-2 finish in Men’s B3 to gold in Men’s AU2 and a strong showing in Women’s RP1, American athletes climbed their way onto the podium in seven categories over two days of lead competition.

Mohammadi and Fralick Go 1-2 in Men’s B3

Hassan Mohammadi led qualifications from the top spot and carried that form into the final, claiming gold. Gordon Fralick qualified third and finished right behind him in silver with 25+, giving Team USA a commanding 1-2 finish in the category.

“I couldn’t be happier!” Fralick celebrated online. “This is the culmination of a lot of hard work. Special commendation to Rob Grant, my caller for doing such a great job and for being in the trenches with me every day.”

M-B3 Podium:

Gold: Hassan Mohammadi (USA)
Silver: Gordon Fralick (USA)
Bronze: Sebastian Schmitz (SUI)

Biendarra Claims Silver in Women’s B2

Seneida Biendarra qualified third and climbed her way up to silver in the final, finishing behind Great Britain’s Abigail Robinson who topped the wall.

W-B2 Podium:

Gold: Abigail Robinson (GBR)
Silver: Seneida Biendarra (USA)
Bronze: Luisa Grube (GER)

Ruiz Defends Her Title in Women’s RP1

Melissa Ruiz is on a tear this season. The champion qualified second and delivered in the final, claiming gold. Hannah Zook also represented Team USA, finishing fourth.

W-RP1 Podium:

Gold: Melissa Ruiz (USA)
Silver: Eva Mol (NED)
Bronze: Marta Peche Salinero (ESP)

Vorel Takes Gold in Women’s RP3

Nat Vorel qualified second and stepped up when it counted, topping the final to claim gold for Team USA.

W-RP3 Podium:

Gold: Nat Vorel (USA)
Silver: Pia Purkart (SLO)
Bronze: Marina Dias (BRA)

Beck Earns Silver in Women’s AU2

Maureen Beck qualified third and worked her way to silver in the final, finishing behind France’s Solenne Piret. Eleanor Rubin, Isabel Benvenuti, and Josephine Fouts also represented Team USA in qualifications, finishing fifth, seventh, and tenth respectively.

“It was a cruiser, til it wasn’t,” Beck wrote online about the qualification round. “I tried to figure out what went wrong but I think it all boils down to being outside for several hours in sub 50° grey windy temps and hitting crimps.”

W-AU2 Podium:

Gold: Solenne Piret (FRA)
Silver: Maureen Beck (USA)
Bronze: Lucia Capovilla (ITA)

Zarzuela Claims Gold in Men’s AU2 on Countback

Brian Zarzuela and Norway’s Isak Ripman co-led qualifications with tied scores, setting up a tense final. Both tied again in the final, and Zarzuela won on countback, clinching gold with a completion time of 2 minutes and 11 seconds to Ripman’s 2 minutes and 12 seconds. Chris Brelsford also made the final for Team USA, finishing fourth.

M-AU2 Podium:

Gold: Brian Zarzuela (USA)
Silver: Isak Ripman (NOR)
Bronze: Eduardo Miguel Schaus (BRA)

McKinley Takes Gold in Men’s AU3

Nathan McKinley qualified second and climbed to the top of the Men’s AU3 final to claim gold for Team USA. Tyler Brooks also represented the Stars and Stripes in qualifications, finishing fifth.

M-AU3 Podium:

Gold: Nathan McKinley (USA)
Silver: Nobuhiro Yasuraoka (JPN)
Bronze: Dominic Geisseler (SUI)

Zilz Tops Qualifications, Claims Silver in Men’s AL2

Ethan Zilz led the entire Men’s AL2 qualification field and carried that momentum into the final, finishing silver behind Belgium’s Frederik Leys. Zachary Johnson also competed for Team USA, finishing tenth in qualifications. On the women’s side, Micailee Soria qualified fourth and reached the final, finishing fourth, with Daliya Hansen finishing ninth in qualifications.

M-AL2 Podium:

Gold: Frederik Leys (BEL)
Silver: Ethan Zilz (USA)
Bronze: David Kammerer (ITA)

Full results from the World Climbing Para Series Gusan 2026 can be found here. You can rewatch the Final round on World Climbing’s YouTube channel.

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