Seo Chaehyun and Anraku Sorato Shine at IFSC World Cup Chamonix 2025

In a thrilling finale at the IFSC World Cup in Chamonix on July 13, 2025, South Korea's Seo Chaehyun and Japan's Anraku Sorato captured gold medals in the Lead climbing competition, adding to their impressive World Cup medal tally. The event, held in front of a vibrant crowd at the Place du Mont Blanc, witnessed Seo's remarkable performance, where she achieved a climb of 44+, securing her sixth gold medal and third podium finish of the season. "I'm super happy and I'm just lost for words. I can’t believe it. I won my first gold medal here, and it felt amazing to climb again in front of such a huge crowd," Seo expressed after her victory. Seo's climb was a testament to her skill, especially in the humid conditions that made the upper route particularly challenging.

Following close behind was the United States' Annie Sanders, who finished with a 43+ climb, earning her a silver medal. Despite her podium finish, Sanders reflected on her performance, stating, "I’m satisfied with second, but I’m not satisfied with my performance. I felt I could have climbed a little bit better; I made a few mistakes that were hard to recover from." Sanders has been working diligently on managing her climbing time, a factor she acknowledges has previously affected her results.

Great Britain's Erin McNeice also showcased her talent, finishing with a bronze medal and solidifying her position as a strong contender in the series. "I’m happy. Usually, the top three are always quite close and it’s a tough battle to win, but I had a lot of fun and I think I climbed well," McNeice said after her climb.

In addition to the women's competition, Anraku Sorato's victory in the men's Lead event marked another significant achievement. Anraku, who previously won gold in Wujiang, topped the final route, while Spain's Alberto Ginés López narrowly missed his first World Cup gold, finishing with a silver after a near-perfect climb. "I will be in good shape for Madrid [at the next event]. I want to win again. But Alberto is in great shape, and he will be hard to beat," Anraku stated, acknowledging the competitive nature of the forthcoming events.

Italy's Filip Schenk celebrated his first-ever World Cup medal with a bronze finish, a notable achievement for the climber who had previously competed in only a handful of finals. "It’s crazy. I can’t really believe it. I think I will need some time to realize it fully. Doing it here in Chamonix as well is really crazy," Schenk remarked, highlighting the unique atmosphere of the event.

The Chamonix event, part of the ongoing IFSC World Cup series, is crucial as climbers prepare for the upcoming Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, where climbing will feature prominently with three medal opportunities in different disciplines. As competitors gear up for the next World Cup event in Madrid, the results from Chamonix will undoubtedly influence their strategies and training.

For detailed results and updates, fans are encouraged to visit the IFSC's official website and follow their social media channels across various platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.