06.08.2023
As the dust settled on the fifth day of the IFSC Climbing World Championships, the focus of reflection lay on the exciting Women's Boulder final that took place yesterday.
The atmosphere in Bern was electric following Mickael Mawem’s world title victory in the men’s competition the night before, and anticipation was high for a similarly thrilling show in the women’s event.
Slovenia’s Janja Garnbret dominated the competition, living up to her Olympic champion reputation by flashing every boulder in the semi-finals and going on to secure her third Boulder World Championships title in stunning fashion. Garnbret’s perfect record extended her tally of World Championships gold medals in all disciplines, from both genders, to seven – a remarkable feat.
Expressing her feelings on her victory, Garnbret remarked: “Every win means the world to me, it’s always like the first one.” This indomitable spirit is reflected in her performance, the definition of perfection, as she flawlessly flashed every single boulder throughout the day.
Joining Garnbret in the final were two Americans, two French, and one Japanese climber. Among these contenders, Brooke Raboutou and Natalia Grossman represented the United States with impressive performances. Raboutou topped all four boulders but took six attempts to conquer problem three, whilst Grossman made the zone on the second problem.
Grossman, after finishing her climb, said: “To be able to compete in front of a crowd and have the opportunity to climb with the best women in the sport of climbing, I’m just really excited.”
French climbers Oriane Bertone and Zélia Avezou hoped to replicate their male counterparts’ success from the previous night. Bertone, inspired by her teammates’ success, went on to secure a silver medal with a personal best performance that had the crowd roaring. Avezou advanced to the finals, finishing in fourth place.
Representing Japan, Mori Ai was the only other climber besides Raboutou and Garnbret to crack the tricky second boulder, which helped her secure a place in the finals. However, the fourth and final semi-finals boulder proved to be her undoing, preventing a flawless record.
Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Petra Klingler soaked up every cheer as she bade goodbye to World Championships climbing. Despite mixed feelings about her performance, Klingler was ecstatic about the overwhelming crowd support. Her exit from IFSC competitions is a loss for the championships, marking the end of an era.
In the end, Brooke Raboutou sealed a bronze medal in remarkable fashion, flashing the fourth boulder and guaranteeing her spot on the podium. It was a climactic moment that perfectly encapsulated the day’s excitement, setting the stage for an unforgettable conclusion to this chapter of the IFSC Climbing World Championships.
As we prepare for today’s Women’s and Men’s Lead Semi-Finals and Finals, the full results of yesterday’s exhilarating Women’s Boulder competition can be accessed here.
Fotos: IFSC/David Schweizer