The importance of grasping opportunity: Hongkonger at climbing World Cup learns the cost of losing power
Au Chi-fung gains confidence from the early bouldering problems, but tires after too many attempts to fulfil his World Cup goals
A Hong Kong boulderer came 33rd at the International Federation of Sport Climbing World Cup in Ti’an China, but said he could have finished higher had he conserved his energy.
“I learned from the competition that it is important to grasp your chance every time,” Au Chi-fung said, “because having one attempt to reach the top can have a big effect later.”
Bouldering is climbing but at a low height so there are no ropes involved. Typically, each “problem” only requires a few moves, so climbers can be pushed technically without being affected by endurance.
“Problem three was hard because I had used all of my time on problem one and two,” Au said. “I hadn’t recovered the power to do the third problem.”
The World Cup tours various countries, allowing competitors to accumulate points to win overall.