Chinese Climber Pan Yufei Earns First World Cup Victory in Bern

In a thrilling conclusion at the IFSC Climbing World Cup held in Bern on June 15, 2025, Chinese climber Pan Yufei achieved a historic milestone by securing his first career gold medal in the men's Boulder event. Pan edged out France’s Mejdi Schalck in a nail-biting finish, concluding with a total of 84.2 points, just 0.1 points ahead of Schalck, who finished with 84.1 points. This victory marks a significant achievement for Pan, who has been striving for success in competitive climbing since his bronze medal win in Xiamen in 2017 and silver in Villars in 2019, both in Lead climbing events.

Pan's journey to victory was characterized by a strategic approach, successfully completing the final problems on his second attempts. He topped M1, M3, and finally M4, which was crucial in surpassing Schalck. After the competition, Pan expressed his emotional relief and joy, stating, “It feels unreal. My mind was so empty, I didn’t know how to express myself. The last few years have been really tough for myself; I struggled so much and I thought I was not good enough.” He attributed his success to a mindset change, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the sport rather than succumbing to pressure.

Schalck, who had initially dominated the final, leading for most of the competition after securing tops on M1, M2, and M3, found himself in a dramatic showdown when Pan's successful ascent on M4 sealed the gold for the Chinese athlete. Anraku Sorato of Japan claimed the bronze medal, finishing the event with 83.7 points but faced penalties for a high number of attempts.

The competition also saw notable performances from other climbers. Lee Dohyun of South Korea, who excelled in the semi-finals, faltered in the finals, finishing fourth with 54.5 points. Belgian climber Hannes Van Duysen took fifth place with 54.4 points, while France’s Paul Jenft, and American Colin Duffy rounded out the final standings in sixth and seventh places, respectively. Duffy and Great Britain's Dayan Akhtar struggled in their attempts, finishing with 19.8 and 19.4 points.

The IFSC Climbing World Cup serves as a vital platform for climbers worldwide, particularly as the sport continues to gain traction ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The event is not only a showcase of athletic prowess but also a testament to the growing popularity of climbing as a competitive sport. As Pan Yufei reflects on his victory, the climbing community anticipates his future performances with great interest, hoping this win propels him toward continued success on the World Cup circuit and Olympic stage.