Sanders and Lee Conquer Madrid for First World Cup Lead Golds
Climbers Achieve Career Milestones in Spanish Capital
In a thrilling IFSC Climbing event in Madrid, Annie Sanders of the USA and Lee Dohyun from the Republic of Korea etched their names in history on Saturday, securing their inaugural World Cup victories in the Lead discipline.
Sanders Ascends to Top Spot
Sanders delivered a dominant performance, reaching the summit of the final route and standing as the sole climber to achieve this feat in the round. Italian climber Laura Rogora secured the silver medal with a reach of 48+, narrowly missing the top hold. Brooke Raboutou of the USA claimed the bronze medal.
“I’m honestly still in shock right now, I’m super excited to have executed well enough to win the gold. I didn’t know what to expect at the beginning of the season, but after the first Lead World Cup in China I know I was capable of doing this, and I’m glad it finally happened.”
—Annie Sanders
Lee Dominates Men’s Final
On the men’s side, Lee Dohyun delivered the performance of the night, topping the final climb with a score of 40+ to narrowly defeat Spain’s Alberto Ginés López. Japan’s Yoshida Satone rounded out the podium with the bronze medal.
“This feels unreal, I can’t believe it. When I finished my climb, I didn’t think it was worth a gold medal, I would have expected fourth or fifth. It was a good experience for me. I’m just happy.”
—Lee Dohyun
The sport climbing discipline continues to gain global traction, with the IFSC Lead World Cup series acting as a crucial platform for athletes. The International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) reports a significant increase in registered athletes worldwide, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity ahead of potential Olympic inclusion.
Upcoming Events on the Horizon
The IFSC circuit now shifts its focus to the Youth World Championships in Helsinki, Finland, scheduled from July 28 to August 3. The season will conclude with the Lead World Cup event in Koper, Slovenia, on September 5-6.
