France's Mejdi Schalk confirms Hachioji's strong performance to win his second gold medal of the season in Korea. In the women's category, Miho Nonaka from Japan is back on the podium.
Bad weather and program changes at the IFSC World Cup in Seoul meant that the results of the semi-finals made up the final ranking for bouldering. The young Frenchman Mejdi Schalck once again dominated the men's event and secured his second World Cup gold in a row.
The Japanese woman was among the women Miho Nonaka at the top of the podium. She last managed to do this at the World Cup in Meiringen in 2018. In the speed discipline, the two favorites took care of it Leonardo Veddriq and Aleksandra Miroslaw - accompanied by several world records - for brilliant victories.
not to slow Schalck down
The 18-year-old Frenchman Mejdi Schalck once again presented himself in top form at the Jungnang Sport Climbing Stadium in Seoul. The fact that he was able to pick up his second gold medal at the second World Cup of the season overwhelmed the youngster a bit:
"I don't think I realize what's happening yet. It's crazy. I just wanted to come here and do my best, climb and have fun."
Mejdi Schalck
The Japanese superstar secured second place Tomoa Narasaki. Local hero climbed to third place Jongwon Chon. Also showed strong performances Nicolai Uznik and Yannick Flohe. They closed the second Bouldering World Cup of the season in ranks 6 and 7. The best Swiss was Sascha Lehmann in 59th place
Nonaka ahead of Bertone and Raboutou
In the women's category, Miho Nonaka from Japan won a gold medal at a Bouldering World Cup for the first time in five years. The joy of the 25-year-old was correspondingly great:
“I am overjoyed to win this gold medal. I've been at it for so long, and it's been five years since I've won a Bouldering World Cup. It's a crazy feeling."
Miho Nonaka
The French secured second place Oriane Bertone. With her third place - and thus her second podium place in two competitions - she should too Brooke Raboutou be satisfied with their performance in Seoul.
The young Israeli Ayala Kerem ended up in sixth place after a strong start. In qualifying, she was the only athlete who could top all five boulders.
Hannah Meul finished the World Cup in Korea with the same number of points as the French Fanny Gibert in seventh place. Best Austrian was Jessica Pilz in 15th place, best Swiss Petra Klingler with place 21.
Speed: Fireworks of world records
In the Speed discipline, two familiar faces were on top of the podium at the end of the competition. The Indonesian Leonardo Veddriq dominated the men's event. He improved his own world record twice during the qualification and the quarter-finals.
The speed dominator Aleksandra Miroslaw from Poland won the women's race. On the way to the gold medal, she broke her own world record four times.
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Credits: Cover picture Dimitris Tosidis/IFSC