2026 World Climbing Bern Men’s Bouldering: Sorato Takes Home 2nd Gold Medal

2026 World Climbing Bern Men’s Bouldering

An energetic crowd, amazing route-setting, and very talented athletes have made for an incredible men’s bouldering competition in Bern, SWITZERLAND. On May 24th, the renowned BernExpo hosted the 2026 World Climbing Bern men’s bouldering semi-final and final events.

Throughout the 2026 World Climbing Bern men’s bouldering competition, climbers were tested by a diverse set of boulders that combined power, technical skill, coordination, and problem-solving ability. With every attempt carrying significant weight, athletes were forced to balance precision and skill under intense pressure. Here’s a closer look at the standout performances, key moments, and final results from the 2026 World Climbing Bern men’s boulder competition.

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Men’s Bouldering Semi-Final

The 2026 World Climbing Bern men’s bouldering semi-final featured a demanding set of problems designed to challenge every aspect of the athletes’ abilities. The route setters quickly separated the field with a diverse range of technical, powerful, and coordination-intensive moves. Many climbers struggled to unlock the sequences, with success often requiring a precise combination of strength, accuracy, and problem-solving.

Japan’s Sorato Anraku endured a difficult start to the round, falling short of even securing the zone on the opening boulder. He responded in remarkable fashion, however, by topping each of the remaining three problems. His impressive comeback propelled him to the top of the standings with 74.2 points and established him as one of the leading contenders heading into the men’s final.

Finishing second in the semi-final was Japan’s Shota Amagasa with 69.5 points, narrowly ahead of Belgium’s Hannes Van Duysen in third on 69.4 points. Both athletes secured their places in the final by topping two of the four boulders while successfully claiming all four zones.

The semi-final showcased a balanced mix of powerful and technical challenges that tested every facet of competitive bouldering. With several standout performances and only small margins separating the top climbers, the stage was set for an exciting men’s final in Bern.

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Men’s Bouldering Final

The 2026 World Climbing Bern men’s bouldering final delivered an explosive finish to the three day event. Japan’s Sorato Anraku started the final wowing the crowd with a flash (finishing the boulder on the first try) of the first boulder with a great display of strength as he campused to the top boulder with explosive power.

Sorato Anraku opened the final in spectacular fashion, delighting the crowd with a flash of the opening boulder. Demonstrating exceptional strength and coordination, he powered through the climb with an explosive campus sequence to secure the top on his first attempt.

The final quickly developed into a thrilling head-to-head battle between Anraku and France’s Mejdi Schalck, with the pair trading tops throughout the round. The competition ultimately came down to the fourth and final boulder. Schalck posted a strong score of 84.3 points but was only able to secure the zone on the last problem. That opened the door for Anraku, who capitalized on the opportunity by topping the final boulder and sealing his second gold medal of the season with a winning score of 99.7 points.

“A hard round. I just am happy every time I [can] claim victory. The crowd is amazing, loud, and I [gain] power from them!”

-Sorato Anraku, World Climbing interview

Joining Anraku and Schalck on the podium was Belgium’s Hannes Van Duysen, who secured the bronze medal with a total of 69.2 points. He narrowly edged out Japan’s Shota Amagasa, with both climbers recording two tops and four zones. However, Van Duysen required fewer attempts, giving him the advantage as Amagasa finished just behind on 68.4 points.

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Want to Watch the Event?

Missed the live broadcast of the event? No problem! Watch the full 2026 World Climbing Bern men’s bouldering competition on YouTube through the World Climbing channel. The broadcast features complete coverage of the women’s and men’s bouldering semi finals and finals, allowing fans to relive the standout moments, impressive display of athleticism, and podium winning performances.

• Men’s Bouldering Semi-Final
• Men’s Bouldering Final

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For more information pertaining to the 2026 World Climbing Bern men’s bouldering results, location, videos, images, etc., please visit the main event page. This event also featured women’s bouldering. The semi-finals and the finals for the women’s bouldering event took place on May 23rd. Please check out the event page for further details about this event.