Hear from the climbers at the World Climbing Series event in Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
PRE EVENT
Dohyun Lee, South Korea - Boulder
“The moment I secured first place is probably what I remember the most. Winning a Lead competition had been a long-time dream of mine, and the emotions I felt for the first time in that moment were impossible to describe.”
“When I compete, no matter where it is, I just focus on myself and my climbing, so I don’t think I’ll get too emotional during the competition. But if I win there again…then maybe even I won’t know how I’ll feel.”
“There have been both good moments and disappointing moments this season, but I think all of it is part of the process of reaching my goals. Honestly, I feel a little confused and overwhelmed right now, but I’m sure these emotions will help me grow and become stronger.”
“I think I’ll have to think more about it after this season ends. For now, I still really enjoy both Lead and Boulder, and I love competing in both disciplines.”
**Leslie **Romero Peréz, Spain - Speed
“I think it’s always incredible to compete at home and have that familiar atmosphere around you."
“It gives you the opportunity to have your family and friends there supporting you and watching you compete live, and that always gives you extra motivation to give your best.”
“Of course, having an event like this in Spain is also very important for climbing in general. It helps give more visibility not only to the athletes, but also to the sport itself."
“I think it’s really important for younger climbers to be able to watch the best athletes in the world compete in their own country, because that can be truly inspiring.”
“I watched it through the livestream because I live in Barcelona and I couldn’t miss training to travel and watch the event in person."
“But even through the stream, it was really exciting to see such a big international climbing event happening in Spain."
"From what I saw during the broadcast, and also from what people who attended told me afterwards, the atmosphere and the crowd were incredible. I think that was really impressive and very special for climbing in Spain.”
**“**Honestly, I’m really happy with the whole process we’ve had since the end of last season. I’ve improved a lot technically and mentally, and I feel like I understand the process and everything that this sport really requires much better now."
“I’ve also committed myself even more this season. I really gave my best during the entire pre-season, and we’re still learning and improving every day."
“Working with Mateusz has been incredible because we continue learning so much and improving little by little, which is the most important thing.”
“Wujiang was an incredibly fast competition. Those qualification times were honestly crazy, and even though I expected the level to be high, I was still really surprised to see so many women taking that next step and climbing such fast and similar times at the top level."
“But I think that’s something really positive for the sport. When the level rises, it pushes everyone to evolve, both physically and mentally, if you want to stay there or even go further. And honestly, that’s what makes this sport so exciting and what motivates me so much to keep improving.”
WOMEN'S BOULDER QUALIFICATION
Zoe Peetermans of Great Britain, 21st with 69.5 points:
“Qualification was interesting. I actually didn’t have that good feelings in the round. I wasn’t having as much fun as the last one in Bern. I just kind of kept going and slogging on, and then I came out and was like 'Oh, crap, I didn’t have much fun'. And they said, 'Sorry, I think you made semis'.
“Bern was air conditioned, so it was a lot cooler. Maybe that got to my head, the heat," she added.
"On boulder three, I basically couldn’t pull off the floor the entire time, which is never a very nice feeling to have in a round, kind of beats you down and then you somehow keep going.
“I don’t know how I'll do in semis. I’m excited to just do another round. It’s my first semi of the year. I was scared I wasn’t going to be able to repeat semis from last year, so I’m happy to be making progress at every comp. I think this means I’ve qualified for Euro Champs as well for my federation, so I’m pretty psyched,” concluded Peetermans.