05.08.2023
The IFSC Climbing World Championships in Bern took an exciting turn as French climber Mickael Mawem clinched the Boulder World Championship title, making history as the first French man to achieve this feat.
In the morning, the semi-finals saw 20 men vying for six spots in the final round. Among them, Japan’s Anraku Sorato led the way, followed by Mawem, who showcased his excellent climbing skills and was rewarded with a place in the evening finals. Mawem’s performance confirmed his potential, as he had remarked, “My goal is qualification for the Olympics and now I am in final so that is good. First step was qualification, second was semi-finals and the third step is a medal.”
When the evening finals arrived, Mawem maintained his morning momentum. He started off strongly, flashing the first boulder alongside his teammate Mejdi Schalck and Anraku Sorato. Boulder three was the critical juncture where Mawem, drawing from past experiences at the Hachioji World Cup, managed to outperform Anraku. This success set the stage for Mawem’s final challenge, where zoning on the last boulder would guarantee his gold medal.
With a minute to spare, Mawem successfully held the zone move on the fourth boulder and erupted in triumphant celebration. Falling to his knees as the crowd roared in excitement, he knew he had achieved his dream. An emotional Mawem reflected on the victory, “It‘s a crazy moment. I’ve waited ten years for this. It was my goal to be the best in the world one time in my life. I’ve had a lot of failures, I’ve come back year after year.”
Schalck joined Mawem on the podium, scoring a personal best with two tops and four zones. South Korea’s Lee Dohyun, who had also found his way back into the medal contention, completed the podium with a personal best bronze finish.
In a surprising turn, Anraku, who led in the semi-finals, fell to fourth place – still an impressive showing for his debut at a senior World Championships. The only climber to top boulder four was Nicolai Uznik from Austria, landing in fifth place, while Japan’s Fujii Kokoro secured the sixth spot.
Mawem’s victory marked a memorable day in the history of French bouldering and the IFSC Climbing World Championships. As the dust settles in Bern, the full men’s Boulder results can be accessed here:
Recap of the day: A glimpse into the action
Missed the live action or simply want to relive the thrilling moments of the first semi-finals and finals? Don’t worry! A full recap of the day’s highlights, including the riveting Men’s Boulder finals, the buzz of the crowd, and exclusive interviews with athletes, is now available.
Tune in to the official IFSC YouTube Channel to watch a detailed recap of these unforgettable stages of the 2023 IFSC Climbing and Paraclimbing World Championships:
Fotos: IFSC/David Schweizer