Sport Climbing World Cup 2023 Hachioji: Brooke Raboutou claims maiden title 

American athlete Brooke Raboutou claimed her maiden title at the IFSC Sport Climbing World Cup in Hachioji, Japan after topping three boulders on Saturday (22 April).

The 22-year-old Raboutou, who achieved three tops and four zones out of four boulders in the final, wore a broad smile after she realised she was guaranteed the win after she smoothly navigated the final climb.

“When I was going up to the last boulder I knew essentially if I get it (top) I would win but I really wasn’t thinking about that,” Raboutou told the IFSC afterwards.

“I saw the boulder from the beginning, and it was my favourite one, and I was like ‘I want to do this boulder’. I am really happy I was able to do that and be really present in the moment on pretty much every single boulder. That is kind of an athlete’s dream. It definitely feels like I am in a dream right now.”

The tricky final round evolved into an exciting dual between Raboutou and Germany’s Hannah Meul – the only two climbers out of six contestants to achieve tops.

Meul, who finished the 2022 Boulder World Cup season on a high with two consecutive silver medals, came into the final with a level of confidence after leading the semi-final round. She continued in the same vein leading the final over the first two boulders before Raboutou dominated the final two.

Both Raboutou and Meul topped the first boulder separating them from the rest of the six-woman field. The third boulder – a slab climb – ultimately split the two leaders with Raboutou making short shrift of the route for her second top of the round.

Raboutou did the same on the final boulder bowing out of the competition as the only climber to boast three tops for a dominant victory. Meul had to be content with second place with one top with Anon Matsufuji of Japan finishing third.

Meanwhile, boulder world champion Natalia Grossman suffered a shock early exit in the semi-final in the first World Cup of the year. Grossman was the dominant force in 2022 winning five consecutive Boulder World Cup competitions to claim a second consecutive overall title.

Results – Sport Climbing World Cup event in Hachioji 2023 – Women's Boulder Final

1. Brooke Raboutou (USA) – Top: 3, Zone: 4, Top attempts: 6
2. Hannah Meul (GER) – Top: 1, Zone: 3, Top attempts: 1
3. Anon Matsufuji (JPN) – Top: 0, Zone: 3, Top attempts: 0
4. Ayala Kerem (ISR) – Top: 0, Zone: 3, Top attempts: 0
5. Luo Zhilu (CHN) – Top: 0, Zone: 3, Top attempts: 0
6. Mia Krampl (SLO) – Top: 0, Zone: 1, Top attempts: 0

Sport climbing World Cup Hachioji schedule

All times JST (CET +7)

Sunday 23 April

11:00 am: Men’s boulder semi-final

17:00 pm: Men’s boulder final

How to watch the IFSC Sport Climbing World Cup Hachioji:

Live coverage of the action is available on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com (territorial restrictions may apply).

It will also available via International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) partner broadcasters and their YouTube Channel.