The Para Climbing season 2025 will be remembered as the greatest in the sport’s history to date, setting new standards for participation, diversity, and excellence across every competition.

A GROWING AND DIVERSE PROGRAMME

A total of 303 athletes took part in the three Para Climbing World Cups in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Innsbruck, Austria; and Laval, France — the highest number ever recorded in a single season. The IFSC Para Climbing World Championships Seoul 2025 also marked a historic milestone, welcoming 189 athletes, another all-time record for the pinnacle event of the IFSC calendar.

For the first time ever, climbers from all five continents competed both in the World Cup Series and the World Championships, underlining the sport’s expanding global footprint. At Seoul 2025, a record 29 nations and territories were represented, with China and South Korea making their first-ever appearance at the Para Climbing World Championships.

The 2025 season also featured the most inclusive programme to date, with 19 out of a maximum of 20 sport classes represented at the World Championships in Seoul, 19 in Salt Lake City, 20 in Innsbruck, and 19 in Laval.

In addition, an IFSC Para Climbing Master took place in Fukuoka, Japan, on 25 and 26 October, paving the way for the possible expansion of the Para Climbing World Cup Series to Japan and other Asian countries in the future.

GLOBAL SUCCESS AND RECORD-BREAKING MEDAL DISTRIBUTION

The Para Climbing World Cup Series 2025 saw 23 nations from all five continents reach the podium, while 17 nations earned medals at the World Championships in Seoul.

Leading the World Cup medal standings were France and the USA, whose athletes delivered remarkable performances throughout the year. France collected 13 golds, two silvers, and five bronzes, while Team USA followed closely with 12 golds, nine silvers, and 11 bronzes.

A further 12 nations also claimed gold medals on the World Cup circuit:

• Austria – eight golds
• Japan – seven golds
• Germany – four golds
• Italy and Romania – three golds each
• Belgium – two golds
• Spain, Norway, India, Brazil, Hungary, and Israel – one gold each

At the IFSC Para Climbing World Championships Seoul 2025, the United States topped the medal table with five golds, two silvers, and five bronzes, followed by Japan with four golds, three silvers, and three bronzes, and France in third place with four golds and three bronzes. Germany, Romania, Austria, and Brazil also secured gold medals in Seoul.

This unprecedented distribution of medals reflects both the competitive balance and the international development of Para Climbing, which continues to attract new athletes, teams, and National Federations.

LOOKING AHEAD TO LA28

The year 2025 also carried special significance for the sport’s long-term future.

In June, the International Paralympic Committee officially confirmed that Para Climbing will make its Paralympic debut at the Paralympic Games LA28 with eight medal events and a total of 80 athletes.

It was also announced that Para Climbing competitions will take place at the Long Beach Climbing Theater in Long Beach, California — the same venue that will host Climbing competitions at the Olympic Games, earlier that Summer.

IFSC Vice President Pierre You said: “What we have witnessed this year is nothing short of extraordinary. Para Climbing has reached a new level — not only in participation and performance, but in global engagement. To see athletes from all five continents competing, to welcome new nations, and to witness the highest number of sport classes ever represented, proves how strong and inclusive our community has become. With the Paralympic debut in LA28 now on the horizon, the foundations built this season will inspire the next generation of para climbers around the world.”