The annual IFSC World Youth Championships is back again and will attract hundreds of elite athletes from around the globe. The GB Climbing Team will be there in strength and we can't wait to see what our talented athletes can achieve! This year, they've headed to Guangzhou, China, to compete over 7-13 November.
The GB Climbing Team has just arrived in China ahead of the start of the Championships on Monday. An elite group of the UK's best young climbers have been chosen by the team managers to compete in what promises to be a fantastic event. And, what's more, we have it on good authority that all of the climbers are on great form and stand to do really well at the Championships.
In the words of GB competitor Jim Pope : "Let's hope we can bring back some bling!"
Participants are divided into categories by age – Youth B, Youth A & Juniors – and climb in the three disciplines of Bouldering, Lead and Speed.
GB Team
Jim Pope – Lead, Boulder, Speed, Combined
William Bosi – Lead, Boulder, Speed, Combined
Molly Thomson-Smith – Lead, Boulder, Speed, Combined
Emilly Phillips – Lead, Boulder, Speed, Combined
Alex Waterhouse – Boulder, Speed
Billy Ridal – Boulder, Speed
Nathan Whaley – Boulder
Tara Hayes – Boulder
Kitty Morrison – Lead, Speed
GB Team Coaches
Ellie Howard
Ian Dunn
Tom Greenall
Tim Cunnington
Michelle Greenall
High Expectations
This year, all eyes will be on Janja Garnbret in the Youth A category. Since claiming Gold in Bouldering and Lead at the IFSC World Youth Championships Arco 2015, the 17-year-old from Slovenia has gone on to become world champion at the IFSC World Championships Paris 2016 and to clinch the IFSC Lead World Cup 2016 Overall title. A victory in Guangzhou would add to the legacy of her historic 2016 season.
Another top international contender, Ashima Shiraishi of the US, equally impressed in Arco last year, completing every climb in Bouldering and Lead for Youth B. At just 15 years old, Shiraishi is already considered one of the best in the sport. Expect more of the same great climbing from the young superstar this year.
The Juniors category will also be exciting for the Females. Arco runner-up Miho Nonaka of Japan soared to a new level this year, finishing second at Paris and second in the IFSC Bouldering World Cup 2016 rankings. She will look to unseat Stasa Gejo of Serbia, who won Gold last year and gave strong performances at Paris and the IFSC Bouldering World Cup Munich 2016. In Lead, keep an eye on Kajsa Rosen of Sweden, Gold medallist at the European Youth Championships Mitterdorf 2016.
Let's hope the GB Climbing Team can compete amongst these amazing climbers and bring home some silverware! Good luck to them all.
Timetable
All times are in GMT.
Monday 7 November
01:30-10:30 Lead Qualification Route 1
Tuesday 8 November
01:30-10:30 Lead Qualification Route 2
Wednesday 9 November
01:30-04:00 Lead Semi-Finals
07:00-08:15 Female Lead Finals (Youth B, Youth A, Junior)
08:15-09:30 Male Lead Finals (Youth B, Youth A, Junior)
10:00-10:30 Awarding Ceremony (Lead)
Thursday 10 November
01:00-04:00 Male Youth B Bouldering Qualification (2 groups)
01:00-06:00 Female Speed Qualifications
06:00-09:00 Male Youth A Bouldering Qualification (2 groups)
07:00-10:00 Female Speed Finals
11:00-13:30 Male Junior Bouldering Qualification (2 groups)
Friday 11 November
01:00-04:00 Female Youth B Bouldering Qualification (2 groups)
01:00-06:00 Male Speed Qualifications
06:00-09:00 Female Youth A Bouldering Qualification (2 groups)
07:00-10:00 Male Speed Finals
10:15-10:45 Awarding Ceremony (Speed)
11:00-13:30 Female Junior Bouldering Qualification (2 groups)
Saturday 12 November
01:00-03:00 Male & Female Youth B Bouldering Semi-Finals
05:00-07:00 Male & Female Youth A Bouldering Semi-Finals
09:00-11:00 Male & Female Junior Bouldering Semi-Finals
Sunday 13 November
01:00-03:00 Male & Female Youth B Bouldering Finals
05:00-07:00 Male & Female Youth A Bouldering Finals
09:00-11:00 Male & Female Junior Bouldering Finals
11:30-12:30 Awarding Ceremony (Bouldering, Combined)
As with the most recent events in China, LIVE streaming will not take place for the IFSC World Youth Championships in Guangzhou.
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