Mumbai geared up for the Indian Open Championship

02/10/2017

One of the fastest growing sports in the world, Sport Climbing will be on display at the Indian Open Championship. The sport’s popularity and youth appeal has resulted in it being one of the sports to be approved by the International Olympic Committee and will make its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020.

Country’s top Sport Climbers to be pitted against each other at the RA Podar College

With a vision of Indian representation in the discipline at Tokyo, Girivihar, one of the country’s oldest and premier mountaineering clubs, is organizing this two-day tournament at the RA Podar College on 11 and 12 February.

Over 25 million people climbing regularly worldwide, the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) statistics record the rapid rise in popularity of climbing worldwide - a sport that draws diverse climbers from rural/mountain areas as well as urban hubs. In recent years IFSC registered a 50% increase in the number of climbing gymnasiums across the globe, a trend mirrored in India with several international schools introducing climbing walls in their facilities.

At the RA Podar College this weekend, the Championship will feature 60 of India’s best male and female climbers competing under the IFSC rules:

• Climbers who have taken part in IMF national competition and/ or have been previously selected at the Girivihar competition semi-finals and above or current climbing grade is above 6b/6b+ French grading system or 5.10d/5.11a YDS (USA)

• Juniors who were finalists at the 22nd National Bouldering competition

• The Championship will follow IFSC bouldering competition rules, regulations and time frames

The qualification rounds for the event are scheduled to take place on 11 February, with the finals scheduled for the following day. With total prize money of ₹150,000 at stake, the athletes are competing for more than just bragging rights.

To ensure that the athletes receive a world-class platform, France-based Vaibhav Mehta will set the routes for the competition. Vaibhav who has been a climber for 20 years and a route setter for 15 years was also one of the route setters for the IFSC Climbing World Cup 2016, Navi Mumbai. With a vast knowledge of the sport and the routes, Vaibhav’s role in the competition is to ensure that the routes are of an international standard.

President of Jury, Abhijit Burman believes that platforms like these will only empower Indian Sport climbers and bridge the skill gap. “It is vital that Indian athletes are exposed to international standards. We are therefore working very closely with Vaibhav to ensure that the competition adds tremendous value and experience to the athletes.”

President of Girivihar, Dilip Lagu reaffirmed the club’s commitment to the sport’s growth. “We believe that it is our responsibility to the sport and the athletes to ensure that we continuously strive to enhance the platforms and opportunities available. India has no shortage of talent and we see our role as a club in providing this talent with opportunities to make the country proud. With the sport being included in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, this competition is just one of the many measures we will be conducting to grow the sport in our country.”

Meraki Sport and Entertainment, the event’s marketing partners, see the sport as one that gives brands tremendous leverage to connect with their consumers. “Sport Climbing has redefined sportainment. As partners of the World Cup last year, we saw firsthand the potential this sport has for brands. The dynamic nature of the sport along with its excitement quotient gives the spectators an unforgettable experience and one which brands can leverage. We are working very closely with Girivihar in building this sport and are creating a product which will allow brands to connect with communities,” said Namrata Parekh, Director, Meraki Sport and Entertainment.

Also as part of the two-day tournament this weekend, there is an open media challenge in which journalists too can take part. It will be an open event for the media to test themselves much like the professional athletes by attempting to climb specially designed routes and understand the intricacies of the sport for themselves.

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