The 2025 Para Climbing international season will conclude this week at the IFSC Para Climbing World Cup Laval 2025, taking place on 25 and 26 October at the Espace Mayenne in Laval, France. The venue, which previously hosted the IFSC European Qualifier in 2023, returns to the spotlight with 175 athletes from 25 nations and five continents, registered to compete across 19 sport classes.

Following successful events in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA and Innsbruck, Austria, earlier this year, and the World Championships in Seoul, South Korea, last month, the competition in Laval will mark the final international Para Climbing appearance of the year.

SEVEN ATHLETES EYE PERFECT SEASONS

Seven climbers will be looking to close out the 2025 season undefeated, having claimed gold in every previous event of the year. The list includes Lucie Jarrige of France, women’s Lead AL2; Rosalie Schaupert of Germany, women’s Lead AU3; Angelino Zeller of Austria, Lead AL1; Thierry Delarue of France, men’s Lead AL2; Aita Sho of Japan, men's B1; Cosmin Florin Candoi of Romania, men’s Lead B3; and Aloïs Pottier of France, men’s Lead RP1.

Each of them will arrive in Laval chasing a perfect record, with the French athletes hoping to shine on home ground in front of a passionate local crowd.

PLANK RETURNS AFTER TOUGH WEEKS

Among the athletes returning to the wall in Laval is Jasmin Plank of Austria, who won gold at both the Salt Lake City and Innsbruck World Cups and silver at the IFSC Climbing World Championships in Seoul. The Austrian Para Climber arrives at the season finale after a challenging few weeks, marked by injury and recovery.

“Competing at the World Championships was hard for me, because I was not allowed to bring one of my most important medicines to South Korea, so my spasticity was really high,” said Plank. “I ended up taking second place and when I got home, my body was completely empty. After Seoul I had to take a break for a week and come back slowly. I’m feeling not ready to compete, but I hope it will get better.”

Despite recently suffering an injury, Plank remains determined to climb in Laval: “Last week, I broke my pulley, so it’s not the easiest World Cup for me here in Laval, but I will do what I can and hopefully it’s going to be a really cool comp.”

A RETURN TO A WORLD-CLASS VENUE

The Espace Mayenne will welcome Para Climbing athletes for the first time since hosting the Continental Qualifier in 2023, where several climbers secured quota places for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

“The routes for qualifications look really cool. And I’m happy to climb here,” said Plank. “I was really surprised when I saw the wall, it’s really nice. One of our National Team officials was here for the Qualifier in 2023 and we talked about it. The warm-up area is also impressive. So I’m happy, I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

After the event, Plank plans to take time off to recover: “After the event it will be time for a break and for rehab. My plan was to go to Arco and go outdoor Climbing, but my injury said no. I think in December I will start climbing again.”

NEXT UP

Qualifications will kick-off on Saturday, 25 October at

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