Keita Watanabe Wins Bouldering World Cup in Nanking

You know bouldering - the sport that originated as a method of training for mountaineering and is fast gaining popularity as it is officially adopted in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

Bouldering is a form of rock climbing not with ropes or harnesses but via footholds on the wall competing on the number of climbs accomplished within a limited time.
Now, a Japanese rock climber, Keita Watanabe, age 23, came out first in the 3rd competition of the World Cup in Nanking, China.

Watanabe placed 3rd in the first competition last month and has since taken part in three consecutive competitions. In the final round of six in Nanking, Watanabe completed all four courses to place first. That was his first win in the world cup. Tomoa Narasaki had attempted two consecutive wins but placed second closely behind Watanabe. It was a one-two finish for Japan.

In the women's division, Britain's Shauna Coxsey reigned, seconded by Miho Nonaka of Japan.

Keita Watanabe commented:"I tell you I don't feel having won the competition, really. I was doing awfully bad in the preliminary round; the consolation was that I had some physical strength left at that stage.

"I thought I could win if only I could complete all the courses. I'm glad I did. Feel pretty good.

"The competition takes place in my home country. I'll get myself ready for that and hopefully win it again."

Bouldering is going to be an official event in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. No wonder, then, that bouldering events of all sizes are staged locally.

Hachioji, Tokyo, stages the 4th competition of the IFSC (International Federation of Sport Climbing) Bouldering World Cup on May 6-7. The world's top climbers from 20 countries are scheduled to compete. (Nathan Shiga)

Source: NHK