Sport Climbing BC and The Edge Climbing Centre kicked off the first bouldering competition of the 2016 season this weekend. With a strong attendance from athletes across British Columbia and Alberta, the talent for this event was strong going into the weekend.
Jesse Taplin. Photo courtesy of Ken Chow ©
Prior to the results of this event, there were a few stories to note, that may have a strong impact on the 2016-2017 competition climbing scene. The first was the re-introduction of a number of youth athletes that had gone dormant over the past few years, including a re-introduction of North Vancouver’s JJ Mah. After being a part of The Edge Youth Climbing Team that produced the likes of Will Stanhope and Sean McColl, JJ Mah competed in the World Cup the year after he graduated, only to drop out of climbing for a few years. With such smooth climbing and talent, we are very excited to have him back in the scene!
JJ Mah. Photo courtesy of Shane Murdoch ©
The second story to note is the introduction of Jani Zoraj to the Open Women’s category. Jani Zoraj, originally from Croatia, is now old enough to compete in the Women’s category, where she is surely to give a few of the top women a run for their money. She is a competitor to look out for going into the season!
Jani Zoraj. Photo courtesy of Ken Chow ©
Missing from the action, was a number of athletes who were at the forefront of the standings last year, including Alannah Yip, Tiffany Melius, and Sophie Buitendyk. Nonetheless, the action was not to be missed, with Jani Joraj taking first in the Women’s Open, followed by Mika Hosoi, and seasoned competitors, Kin Wah Lai and Jesse Taplin taking top of the podium for the Men’s Open category. This season is off to a strong start with the next competition at the end of November!
Final Results
Women’s Open
Photo courtesy of Ken Chow ©
1. Zoraj, Jani
2. Hosoi, Mika
3. Frangos, Rebecca
4. Khan, Ayesha
5. Bazza, Kumi
6. Earle, Chloe
7. Williams, Nicola
8. Hrozova, Lucie
9. Berezowski, Amanda
10. Beauchemin, Zoe
Men’s Open
Photo courtesy of Ken Chow ©
1. Lai, Kin Wah
2. Taplin, Jesse
3. Mah, Jason
4. Wellington, Matthew
5. Keays, Matt
6. Johnson, Gavin
7. Sherkat, Tosh
8. Doyle, Aidan
9. Funk, Andrew
10. Murdoch, Kyle
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Kin Wah Lai. Photo courtesy of Shane Murdoch ©
Special thanks to Ken Chow and Shane Murdoch as without these two, we would have no idea what happened at the Competition!
Photo courtesy of Shane Murdoch ©
Photo courtesy of Ken Chow ©
Photo courtesy of Shane Murdoch ©
Photo courtesy of Ken Chow ©
Tosh Sherkat. Photo courtesy of Ken Chow ©
Mika Hosoi. Photo courtesy of Ken Chow ©
Matt Keays. Photo courtesy of Ken Chow ©
