Natalia Grossman, an American athlete, showcased her exceptional talent on Sunday evening in Salt Lake City by winning her fifth consecutive boulder crown at the IFSC World Cup sport climbing competition. Grossman, who lives and trains in Salt Lake City, was able to secure the victory by topping three out of the four boulders in the event. Her impressive performance was witnessed by friends and family in her hometown.
Fellow climbers Oriane Bertone and Naïlé Meignan from France finished in the second and third places, respectively, by also reaching the top of three boulders. Despite battling a knee injury that visibly affected her performance, Grossman showed determination and resilience in the competition. She admitted to considering not competing in the final due to her injury, stating that she has bigger plans for the year ahead.
Grossman expressed her pride in her victory, highlighting the support she received from the home crowd in Salt Lake City. She mentioned her love for competing in front of her family and friends, as well as the comfort of sleeping in her own bed during the event. The climber acknowledged the motivation she felt from the high number of top finishes in the competition, which pushed her to achieve her best performance.
In addition to Grossman’s success, Japan’s Anraku Sorato also claimed the boulder champion title in Salt Lake City, while American climbers Emma Hunt and Sam Watson secured victories in the women’s and men’s speed climbing events. The competition showcased the talent and dedication of the athletes participating in the IFSC World Cup sport climbing stop in Salt Lake City.