Pan Yufei secures silver medal at IFSC Asian Championships

China’s Pan Yufei competes at the IFSC Asian Championships in Tai’an, east China’s Shandong Province, October 14, 2024. /CFP

Chinese climber Pan Yufei matched his personal best at the IFSC Asian Championships on Monday, after securing the silver medal in the men’s difficulty final in Tai’an, east China’s Shandong Province.

Despite Olympic silver medalist Anraku Sorato entering the final as the front-runner after topping the semifinal qualifiers, the man from Japan unexpectedly slipped and fell at the 30th hold, and tumbled to fourth place.

The title of Asian champion instead went to Sorato’s compatriot, Shion Omata, who narrowly edged out Pan in a close competition. Pan had set a strong early pace by reaching the 42nd hold and making progress toward the 43rd before a fall, putting pressure on Omata to at least match his performance to claim victory based on countback rules.

Omata rose to the challenge, surpassing Pan by one hold, reaching between the 43rd and 44th holds before his descent. Another Japanese climber, Satone Yoshida, finished third.