The IFSC Climbing World Cup in Prague, Czechia hosted competitors from around the world at the year's fourth Boulder World Cup. Here’s what some of the top-performing athletes had to say following each round.

MEN'S FINAL

Mejdi Schalck (FRA) - gold medallist

“It feels a bit like a comeback because last year I had a pretty hard year. I didn’t qualify for the Olympics, so I stayed focused and trained really hard this winter, so it’s a comeback. I’m back, and it feels good to be back.”

“I really liked all the boulders; it was a lot of coordination and dynamic boulders which is really my style, so I liked it."

“The second was the hardest, I was the only climber to send it, and it was a big fight for that. It was crazy. The crowd was cheering, and it was amazing.”

Sorato Anraku (JPN) - silver medallist

“Two years ago here I was seventh, last year I was fourth, and now second, so next year, first.”

“Honestly, I’m not disappointed with the result. The final had a lot of coordination, I’m not bad at it, but I’m not great either. I have to say the boulders and the crowd here were amazing.”

Samuel Richard (FRA) - bronze medallist

“I felt pressure after semis but I was relieved I was in finals as it was a bit of a lifetime objective, and to medal too is crazy. I was relaxed in finals, shaking a little, but I was in the mood because I knew it was already good just making it there.”

“There was a lot of coordination, I would have preferred to have crimps, but I love coordination too and I was in the flow."

“I practiced coordination a lot this year because before I wasn’t so good so it’s nice to see the difference in my former weak points.”

MEN'S SEMI-FINAL

Hannes Van Duysen (BEL)

“The physical boulder, I came very close to doing that and I think I should have done it.

“Yeah, it was a backflip out of excitement, which was a bit failed. I had so much adrenaline as I was so close to the top, and I had to do something to get rid of it.”

“It was good for sure. I think I did some very good things and also some things I could do better, like my strategy and which method I was going to use.”

Jack MacDougall (GBR)

“It was great. Pretty standard for me. Two power boulders which I didn’t get anything on and then a slab and a coordination which I topped, so good execution. I just have to get stronger.”

“For me the conditions were great. A bit cold but still a bit humid, very similar to the UK. So was like being at home.”

WOMEN'S QUALIFICATION

Geila Macià Martín (ESP)

“I’m very happy. It’s probably my first time in a semi-final for Boulder. I tried my best and let’s see what happens.”

“I think they were really cool boulders with a lot of different styles and different moves, so I really enjoyed them.”

“I just stayed happy. I am happy to be here and happy to be doing my second World Cup in Boulder.”

Seo Chaehyun (KOR)

“I think I was out of my rhythm, and it was a bit hard to get back.”

“I think not the best this time. I couldn’t focus on the first two boulders, but I recovered on the third. Not the best, but I felt good on the wall.”

MEN'S QUALIFICATION

Adam Ondra (CZE)

“I feel happy. Even after topping out boulder five I was a little bit frustrated as I thought it’s not going to be enough as I messed up really badly on number three. It seems like it could be enough though. It feels amazing and I’m happy I will get to climb in the semis tomorrow.”

“The crowd, especially as it’s only the qualification round, was amazing. I felt relaxed, a little nervous, but I can’t wait for tomorrow as it’s going to be huge.”

“Physically I feel strong. Number one was a purely physical boulder and it hasn’t been topped, I was the closest person to do it, so makes me feel confident.”

News and updates about all IFSC events will be available on the IFSC website, and on the Federation’s digital channels: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, and exclusively for the Chinese audience, Douyin, Weibo, and Xiaohongshu.