The 2025 world cup climbing season delivered nail-biting finishes, up-and-coming stars, and record-shattering performances that redefined the sport’s global stage. From Olympic hopefuls to rising talents, this year proved climbing is no longer niche.
In the first of a three part series on the International Federation of Sport Climbing’s 2025 competition season, this article looks at Keqiao 2025. It was the very first IFSC competition of 2025, which set the stage for the season’s storylines and rivalries.
The Opening Competition: Keqiao, China 2025
Keqiao was a boulder-only competition, meaning athletes competed exclusively on short, powerful climbing problems rather than on lead or speed routes. For both the men’s and the women’s round, boulders were extremely power and cordo-focused, always including one technique-heavy slab climb that threw a wrench in the mix.
Summary of Key Stats:
- The women’s round: Annie Sanders of USA took gold after a battle out on the mats, Oriane Bertone of France took silver, and Erin McNeice of Great Britain secured bronze.
- The men’s round: Sorato Anaraku of Japan earned gold with stellar performance per usual. Dohyun Lee of Korea took silver, and the veteran Meichi Narasaki secured bronze.
The Keqiao opener offered a glimpse at both rising stars and seasoned competitors. Annie Sanders, 17 at the time of the competition, continued her winning streak from last season’s Seoul boulder competition. Oriane Bertone showcased the explosive power and precise coordination that defined the round On the women’s side, Erin McNeice’s bronze was particularly notable. She returned this season after battling an injury through the summer of 2024, proving her resilience against a deep and talented field. However, McNeice’s performance reminded everyone that experience and composure can still shine through.
For the men, Sorato Anraku’s victory cemented his status as one of climbing’s brightest young talents. Now 18, Anraku first appeared on the world stage at 16 and made headlines by claiming silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics at just 17. His ability to combine raw power with smart technique, especially on the overhanging boulders, set him apart from the competition. Dohyun Lee and Meichi Narasaki also delivered strong performances, but it was Anraku who defined the Keqiao opener.
Keqiao set the tone for an electrifying season, leaving fans eager to see how the story would unfold. Stay tuned for the second part of this series, which looks at the mid-season 2025 Innsbruck Competition.