The world of adaptive climbing reached a feverish pitch at the IFSC Para Climbing World Cup Laval 2025, where the first day of finals crowned seven new champions amidst a thrilling display of strength, strategy, and sheer determination. As the international season nears its climax, the Espace Mayenne became the epicenter of awe-inspiring performances, blending familiar dominance with groundbreaking victories. But here's where it gets controversial: can newcomers truly challenge the established elite, or is their success merely a fleeting moment in the spotlight?
TAKANO AND DIAS DOMINATE RP3, BUT IS THEIR REIGN UNCHALLENGED?
In the women’s RP3 category, Brazil’s Marina Dias cemented her legacy, extending her winning streak with a commanding 51-move performance—six moves ahead of Germany’s Laura Nesciobelli, who claimed silver with 45. Great Britain’s Charlotte Andrew secured bronze with 42+. Dias’s dominance raises questions: Is she unbeatable, or is the competition yet to catch up? For full results, visit here.
In the men’s RP3 final, Japan’s Takano Tadashi clinched gold in a nail-biting tiebreaker, matching Jamie Barendrecht’s 43 moves but securing victory via higher qualification ranking. Takano’s second gold of 2025 solidifies his status as a force to reckon with. Belgium’s Camille Caulier took bronze with 36+. Is Takano’s success a testament to his skill, or does the scoring system favor consistency over risk-taking? Full results are available here.
JASMIN PLANK’S TRIUMPH THROUGH ADVERSITY: INSPIRATION OR UNFAIR ADVANTAGE?
Austria’s Jasmin Plank, competing through injury, secured her third consecutive World Cup gold of 2025 in the women’s RP2 final. Italy’s Chiara Cavina (silver, 34+) and Japan’s Futahashi Matoi (bronze, 32+) followed. Plank’s resilience is undeniable, but does competing injured set a precedent for others to push beyond their limits? Results are here.
FRANCE’S HOME TURF TRIUMPH: NATIONAL PRIDE OR UNFAIR ADVANTAGE?
The French crowd erupted as Thierry Delarue and Siloë Tetaz claimed gold in the men’s AL2 and women’s AU2 events, respectively. Delarue’s fourth title of the season (45 moves) outpaced Spain’s Urko Carmona Barandiaran (silver, 45 moves) and Italy’s David Kammerer (bronze, 29+). Does home-field advantage play a role in such victories? Results: here.
Tetaz’s first international gold (42+) in just her third start stunned the field, edging out the USA’s Eleanor Rubin (41) and Italy’s Lucia Capovilla (bronze, 35+). Is Tetaz the future of AU2, or is her success a one-off? Full results: here.
MASON KEOUGH AND ORIANE ILPIDE: RISING STARS OR FLASH IN THE PAN?
The men’s AU3 final saw the USA’s Mason Keough claim his first IFSC gold in a thrilling tiebreaker against Switzerland’s Dominic Geisseler (both 28+). France’s Bruno Longuet took bronze (25+). Is Keough’s victory a sign of things to come? Results: here.
France’s Oriane Ilpide closed the night with gold in women’s AU3 (47 moves), outperforming Germany’s Rosalie Schaupert (silver, 47 moves) and Ria Grindel (bronze, 35+). Is Ilpide’s win a testament to French dominance, or is the field too competitive to predict? Full results: here.
MEDAL TABLE: WHO’S LEADING THE CHARGE?
The provisional medal table reflects a fiercely competitive season. But does it truly capture the spirit of adaptive climbing, or is it just about the hardware?
WHAT’S NEXT: THE FINAL SHOWDOWN
The remaining 12 finals kick off today at 15:00 (UTC+2:00) at the Espace Mayenne, live-streamed on the IFSC YouTube channel here. Stay updated via the IFSC website here and their social channels: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok, X, and for Chinese audiences, Bilibili, Douyin, Weibo, and Xiaohongshu.
Thought-provoking question for you: In adaptive climbing, is success measured by medals, resilience, or the ability to inspire? Share your thoughts below!
