Anraku Sorato, a 17-year-old Japanese sport climbing star, made headlines at the IFSC World Cup Salt Lake City by conquering the final boulder route. This marked his second career boulder World Cup win and added to his collection of five World Cup titles overall.
Anraku’s compatriot Narasaki Meichi took home the silver medal, while Austrian veteran Jakob Schubert earned the bronze, marking his 11th in boulder competitions and 64th overall.
Anraku’s victory in Salt Lake City comes after a successful year, where he finished with a silver medal in boulder at the same event last year and subsequently claimed his first boulder World Cup title in Innsbruck, Austria. With the support of an enthusiastic crowd, Anraku topped three of the four routes and made it to the zone on the fourth, securing his place at the top of the podium.
Reflecting on his win, Anraku shared his excitement and gratitude for the milestone in his training, highlighting the confidence it gave him as he looks ahead to future competitions. Despite feeling nervous and tense during the final boulder, Anraku’s determination and skill carried him through to success.
As the day continued, home climbers Emma Hunt and Sam Watson prepared to compete in the speed climbing events. Watson aimed to defend his men’s world record set at 4.79 seconds. The women’s boulder competition was scheduled for the following day, promising more thrilling action for fans and participants alike.