Sport Climbing World Cup 2023 Brixen: Toby Roberts wins first boulder title
British climber Toby Roberts won only his second Boulder World Cup medal in a nail-biting finish at the IFSC Sport Climbing World Cup in Brixen, Italy on Sunday (11 June).
Sport Climbing
British climber Toby Roberts turned in a gutsy effort on the final boulder to claim a maiden title at the IFSC Sport Climbing World Cup in Brixen, Italy on Sunday (11 June).
Roberts stepped up to the final boulder knowing he had to top the problem to secure his first World Cup gold medal or walk away with nothing.
“I had to give absolutely everything to do that. I left it all on the boulder and I can’t quite believe I won my first World Cup. It is so surreal,” Roberts said.
“I knew I had to top, and I was just trying to stay calm and look at the boulder as the boulder and not think about anything else. It is pretty hard when you are in that environment.”
The 18-year-old contorted his body as time was running out but managed to reach the target to bow out of the competition as the only climber to the three boulders. Roberts made 10 attempts for his three tops, demonstrating his dogged determination to win only his second World Cup medal, adding to the silver from Salt Lake City.
Roberts relegated Dohyun Lee (Republic of Korea) into second place and ended his hopes of winning back-to-back titles.
Lee and Roberts were the only two climbers to top the M1 problem giving them the edge going into the final boulder. The Korean climber stumbled at the final hurdle and had to be content with the silver medal.
Japan flexed their climbing muscles in Brixen qualifying four men into the final with Ogata Yoshiyuki rounding out the podium.
On Saturday, world champion Natalia Grossman dominated the women's event.
Action was live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com, with replays and highlights available here.
Results – Sport Climbing World Cup event in Brixen – Men's Boulder Final
- Toby Roberts (GBR) – Top: 3, Zone: 4, Top attempts: 10
- Dohyun Lee (KOR) – Top: 2, Zone: 4, Top attempts: 3
- Ogata Yoshiyuki (JPN) – Top: 2, Zone: 4, Top attempts: 5
- Narasaki Meichi (JPN) – Top: 2, Zone: 4, Top attempts: 5
- Anraku Sorato (JPN) – Top: 2, Zone: 2, Top attempts: 5
- Narasaki Tomoa (JPN) – Top: 1, Zone: 2, Top attempts: 1