The International Federation of Sport Climbing -IFSC- held the 2025 IFSC Asian Youth Championships from 20 to 24 August at the Guizhou Caihu International Climbing Center, located in Guanshanhu District, Guiyang. The competition gathered young climbers from 14 countries and regions, consolidating the Chinese city’s role as a reference venue on the international calendar.

The 2025 edition brought together more than 211 athletes in the U17 and U19 categories, marking a significant increase compared to the 2023 event in Chongqing, which hosted just over 100 participants from 12 countries. According to the IFSC, this growth reflects the consolidation of youth climbing in Asia and the commitment of national federations to expand their grassroots programmes.

Japan tops the medal table in Guiyang

In the final medal standings, Japan led with six golds, eight silvers and five bronzes. China, the host nation, secured three golds, three silvers and three bronzes, reinforcing its status as an emerging power in the continent.

Teams from South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand also produced strong results, underlining the diversity and competitiveness of Asian youth climbing. Japan’s dominance mirrors its tradition of producing world-class athletes such as Miho Nonaka, Olympic silver medallist in Tokyo 2020, and Ai Mori, 2023 world champion in lead.

Asia also boasts global references like Veddriq Leonardo of Indonesia, Olympic speed climbing champion in Paris 2024 and multiple world record holder, along with Aries Susanti Rahayu, renowned for breaking the women’s speed world record. These names highlight the continent’s strength on the international stage and serve as inspiration for the new generation competing in Guiyang.

A camp for 120 young climbers

Following the championship, the AYCH Exchange Training Camp 2025 was held, bringing together around 120 participants from teams including China, Japan and Indonesia. The initiative aimed to strengthen cooperation between federations and provide a technical learning and cultural exchange environment.

The programme featured free climbing sessions on the championship walls, speed wall training, and group dynamics with mixed-nationality teams. The IFSC emphasised that such initiatives are key to promoting international collaboration and the development of young talent.

Growth since Tokyo 2020

Sport climbing in Asia is experiencing rapid growth, fuelled by its inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and its continuation in Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028. Federations in Japan, South Korea and China have expanded their youth programmes and high-performance centres, boosting both grassroots participation and elite competition.

In parallel, the climbing gym market in Asia has surged, with growth exceeding 25% in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. Against this backdrop, Guiyang is consolidating its position as a strategic venue on the international IFSC calendar, with facilities and organisational capacity capable of hosting top-level competitions.