Meet the 2023 IFSC World Cup Commentators: Dynamic Duo

Matt Groom

Groom, a seasoned commentator with a wealth of knowledge and passion for climbing, took the reins as the main commentator for the 2023 IFSC Climbing World Cup series. With his engaging style, insightful analysis, and deep understanding of the sport, Groom has earned a reputation for his ability to captivate audiences worldwide. Having commented on numerous climbing competitions, Groom brings his wealth of experience and infectious enthusiasm to every event.

Mei Nagasako

She is a climbing instructor, route setter, and strong climber from Tokyo, Japan. As a JMSCA Class C route setter, Mei Nagasako has accumulated routesetting experience from many official competitions, including the World Cup.

As one of the 2023 IFSC World Cup commentators, she brings her understanding of the technical aspects of climbing and the nuances of Japanese climbing styles to provide context for the viewers.

Meagan Martin

As a professional climber, climbing analyst for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, American Ninja Warrior women’s champion, commentator for USA Climbing on ESPN, and professional Climber Host of the HBO Max series The Climb, Meagan Martin has a wealth of experience and knowledge about climbing that she brings to her commentary.

Martin’s deep understanding of the sport combined with her charismatic and enthusiastic commentary style, make for an entertaining and informative viewing experience. Her ability to break down complex climbing movements and tactics into accessible explanations resonates well with both avid climbers and casual viewers making her one of the most insightful 2023 IFSC World Cup commentators.

Alannah Yip

Alannah Yip is a Canadian professional rock climber who started climbing at the age of 6 and by 12 she became a National Champion. Her most notable accomplishment has been winning the 2020 Pan American Championships in women’s combined, which allowed her to represent Canada at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games [placing 14th in women’s combined].

As one of the 2023 IFSC World Cup commentators, she always brings a warm personality and her unique perspective as a professional climber to every comp. Alannah’s genuine reactions make her very relatable to viewers as they share in her *gasps* at impressive moves.

Quinn Mason

Mason is an American rock climber who has gained a wealth of knowledge from competing at both the national and international levels of sport climbing. She was the 2021 US National Lead Climbing Champion and was on the 2022 US Boulder and Lead National World Cup team.

Her passion for climbing shines through in her words, conveying the excitement and intensity of the sport to viewers. As one of the 2023 IFSC World Cup commentators, Mason’s ability to convey the emotions and challenges faced by the climbers enhances the overall viewing experience, making it more relatable and immersive.

Cody Grodzki

Cody Grodzki is a USAC Level 5 National Chief Routesetter and instructor. He has logged over 10 years of routesetting experience and designed/implemented over 100 event sets for both national and international events.

As one of the 2023 IFSC World Cup commentators, Grodzki brings unique insights into the routes and their designs. Especially when it comes to the struggle of route setters to find a balance between difficulty and fairness. His commentary brings an additional layer of understanding to the competition, providing viewers with a behind-the-scenes look at the thought process behind the route setting.

Sean McColl

Sean McColl is a professional rock climber from North Vancouver, Canada. He has captured numerous national and international titles and podium finishes. As a diversified climber, he has excelled at both bouldering and lead climbing disciplines throughout his climbing career

McColl’s extensive experience as a professional climber and his in-depth understanding of the sport make him a valuable asset in the commentary booth. As one of the 2023 IFSC World Cup Commentators, he is very observant and insightful about athletes’ performances, which gives valuable insight to the viewers.

Zach Galla

Zach Galla is a professional American rock climber who has achieved multiple national and international titles. He is a member of the 2023 USA Boulder and Lead National team. Beyond the competitive realm, Zach also enjoys pushing the limits and tackling difficult outdoor climbing routes.

As one of the 2023 IFSC World Cup Commentators, he brings his experiences as a climber to his analysis to provide explanations of climbing techniques and strategies.

Cloe Coscoy

Cloe Coscoy is an American rock climber who first started participating in competitive climbing in the Northern California Youth Climbing League. In 2019, she won the gold medal in the bouldering discipline at the Pan-American Youth Championship. She is a member of the 2023 USA Boulder and Lead National team.

Her in-depth knowledge of the sport, combined with her own experiences as a competitive climber, allows her to provide valuable analysis and context to the viewers. As one of the 2023 IFSC World Cup commentators, Coscoy’s enthusiasm and energy are contagious, creating an engaging and exciting atmosphere during the live events.

Rafe Stokes

Rafe Stokes is a professional rock climber from Great Britain. He has been participating in competitive speed climbing for over 5 years and is currently the Great Britain national record holder with a time of 5.460 seconds.

His ability to analyze the athletes’ strategies, movements, and decision-making processes adds depth to the viewers’ understanding of the competition. As one of the 2023 IFSC World Cup commentators, his expertise allows him to provide valuable context and explanations about climbing.

Nika Potapova

Nika is a professional rock climber from Keiv, Ukraine. She has been climbing since a young age and achieved many competitive and outdoor climbing goals. For example, she took first place at the 2019 IFSC Youth World Championship in lead.

Potapova is very articulate and has an engaging commentary style that keeps the audience engrossed. As one of the 2023 IFSC World Cup commentators, she brings a unique perspective and valuable insights as an accomplished climber to the live broadcast.

Molly Thompson-Smith

Molly is a rock climber and professional sport climber from Great Britain who is an exceptional lead climber. She has won multiple national championships and took bronze at the 2017 Lead World Cup in Kranj, Slovenia.

Molly is comfortable in the commentary booth as she has experience being a commentator at two French IFSC World Cups and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. As one of the 2023 IFSC World Cup commentators, she is articulate, engaging, and relatable when she explains complex climbing concepts and other insights about sport climbing.

Jesse Grupper

America’s Jesse Grupper is known as one of the USA’s best lead climbers. In 2022, he won two gold medals during the IFSC World Cup in men’s lead climbing and continues to strive to reach that top spot at every competition.

As one of the 2023 IFSC World Cup commentators, he brings his knowledge and experience of being a professional climber, especially to the discipline of lead climbing. He is knowledgeable about other climbers’ styles and can relate to their approach/ techniques toward climbing.

Malek Taleb

Malek Taleb has been Climbing Escalade Canada’s National Team coach for boulder and lead disciplines since April 2022. He has been coaching competitive climbing at all levels for over 15 years.

Malek is the first coach to join the team of 2023 IFSC World Cup commentators, which brings a new perspective to the commentary booth. Known for his deep understanding of the sport, viewers can listen as he brings new insight to analyzing climbing movements and an in-depth knowledge of competition rules to the live broadcast.

Victor Baudrand

One of the members of the Climbing Escalade Canada’s National Team is Victor Baudrand. He has been participating in competitive climbing competitions since a young age and is an avid indoor and outdoor climber.

As one of the 2023 IFSC World Cup commentators, Victor brings his knowledge of other climbers’ and his ability to relate to their struggles to the commentary booth. He gives good explanations of various climbing techniques and what approaches climbers may or may not take.

Liv Egli

Liv Egli is a professional climber from Switzerland who competes along side her sister, Zoé Egli, on the Schweitzer Alpen-Club National Team in both boulder and lead disciplines.

Liv brings her energy and high-spirits to the live broadcast. As one of the 2023 IFSC World Cup commentators, she shows excitement to see her fellow peers climb and brings some additional insight into climbers’ actions.

Albert Ok

Albert Ok, aka professor ok, is a professional speed climbing coach and runs a youtube channel called Albert Okay that focuses on climbing and other related topics to climbing.

Albert is really comfortable being one of the 2023 IFSC World Cup commentators and ultimately creates some great insight into the different types of beta for the male and female climbers, as well as knowledge about individual climbers preferences.

Teresa Corti

Teresa Corti, also referred to as Terri, is a presenter at EpicTV & Shop where she comments and reports on climbing for a living.

There has been mixed response to Terri as one of the 2023 IFSC World Cup Commentators. The commentary between Terri and the main host, Matt Groom, often felt disjointed with both commentators not really responding to each other comments throughout the competition.

Campbell Harrison

Harrison is a professional climber from Melbourne, Australian who has two National Championship gold medals in Men’s Lead and Combined.

Making his way back into the the commentators box to be one of the best 2023 IFSC World Cup commentators we have seen so far was Campbell Harrison. He always brings a level of professionalism and insight that always makes for a more interesting comp for viewers.

Staša Gejo

Staša Gejo is a well-seasoned Serbian professional climber who has won two Climbing World Championship bronze medals in Women’s Boulder.

As one of the 2023 IFSC World Cup Commentators, she brings an honest, heartfelt, and knowledgable approach to her commentating. Her appreciation for the sport and her humor make for an entertaining comp.

Sebastian Lucke

Sebastian Lucke is a professional German sport climber who has been a dedicated and passionate speed climber. He is known for winning the 2020 German Championships in Men’s Speed.

As one of the 2023 IFSC World Cup Commentators, he brings his knowledge of speed climbing to his commentating, which is clear and easy to understand for viewers.