Miho Nonaka Dominates Women's Boulder Semi-Final at IFSC 2025

In a gripping display of athleticism and strategy, Miho Nonaka of Japan emerged victorious in the women’s Boulder semi-final at the IFSC Climbing World Cup held in Bern, Switzerland on June 14, 2025. This event, characterized by intensely close scores and an unpredictable atmosphere, saw Nonaka secure her position at the top of the leaderboard with a total of 59.5 points, making her the only climber to top more than one boulder problem in the semi-final.

The competition unfolded at the Kletterhalle Bern, where the semi-final round was marked by low scores and an escalating tension that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Nonaka’s performance included two successful tops and a near-complete run, as she nearly solved all but one of the zone problems presented. Her standout moment came when she was the sole climber to conquer problem W2, a testament to her skill and strategy.

Erin McNeice from Great Britain followed closely in second place with 54.8 points, achieving her third World Cup final appearance this year. McNeice expressed satisfaction with her performance, stating, “The semi-final was quite a lot of fun; the blocks were a lot harder than yesterday, which is very enjoyable.” Her ability to flash on problem W3 proved pivotal in cementing her position for the final.

The semi-final also showcased the razor-thin margins that can define competitive climbing. A three-way tie for sixth place at 54.3 points emerged among Matsufuji Anon of Japan, Oceania Mackenzie of Australia, and Annie Sanders of the United States. The competition's climax came from Sanders's dramatic final climb on W4, where she completed the problem with mere seconds to spare, thus edging out her teammate Kyra Condie by just 0.2 points for a spot in the finals.

The results from the semi-final are reflective of a broader trend in competitive climbing where scoring is increasingly competitive, driven by both the athletes' preparations and the technicality of the boulder problems set by the IFSC. According to Dr. Eric Thompson, a sports scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder, “The precision required in bouldering competitions is incredibly high, and this semi-final exemplified how small differences can have significant implications for rankings and progression in the competition.”

Looking ahead, the women’s Boulder final is set to take place later today at 17:00 (UTC+2:00), followed by the men’s semi-final and final, which will conclude the Bern 2025 event on June 15. Fans and followers can keep track of ongoing updates through the IFSC’s official website and their various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

As climbing continues to grow as a competitive sport, particularly with its inclusion in the Olympics, events like the IFSC World Cup serve as critical platforms for athletes to showcase their skills on an international stage. With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, results from this competition will likely impact athlete rankings and selections for national teams.

In summary, the IFSC Climbing World Cup Bern 2025 semi-final showcased the thrilling nature of competitive climbing, highlighting both the skill of the athletes and the intense competition they face. Nonaka’s victory sets the stage for an exciting final, promising further drama and athletic prowess as the competition unfolds.