Curitiba, Brazil Set to Host South America's First-Ever IFSC Climbing World Cup

From May 16 to 18, 2025, the city of Curitiba, Brazil, will make history by hosting the first-ever International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Cup event in South America. Set at the Parque Olímpico Do Cajuru, the Brazilian National Climbing Training Center, the Curitiba Boulder World Cup event marks a milestone not just for Brazil, but for the entire continent's climbing community.

As the 407th event in the history of the Climbing World Cup series and the 155th Boulder World Cup, it brings international attention to a region whose climbing potential has long flown under the radar.

Brazil is a growing climbing destination

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Though Brazil is still relatively unknown on the global climbing map, it is rapidly gaining traction as an up-and-coming destination for outdoor climbing. The country boasts world-class natural crags across diverse landscapes: the sandstone cliffs of Chapada Diamantina in Bahia, the granite monoliths of Rio de Janeiro like Sugarloaf and Corcovado, and the limestone walls of Serra do Cipó in Minas Gerais.

Further climbing development continues on the tropical island of Ilhabela, where new sport climbing routes are drawing attention from local and visiting climbers alike. With this diverse climbing terrain, Brazil is poised to become a major player in the global climbing scene - and hosting a World Cup event is evidence this is already underway.

When is the IFSC World Cup in Curitiba?

Curitiba’s IFSC World Cup marks the second Boulder competition of the 2025 season. Spanning three days, the competition schedule is packed with action:

• Friday, May 16 (09:00): Boulder qualifications for men and women

• Saturday, May 17 (10:00 / 17:30): Men’s Boulder semi-final and final

• Sunday, May 18 (10:00 / 17:30): Women’s Boulder semi-final and final

How to watch the IFSC World Cup in Curitiba

The event will be streamed live on the Olympic Channel via Olympics.com and through IFSC partner broadcasters and their YouTube channel, making it accessible to global audiences.

An International Competition

A total of 115 athletes from 23 countries and territories across four continents have registered for the event, including 56 women and 59 men. Brazil and Japan lead in representation, each with 12 athletes. Other nations with strong contingents include the USA, Germany, and France, all fielding 10 athletes apiece.

The competition will also see several climbers making their Climbing World Cup debut, notably from South American nations such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Honduras. These newcomers include:

• Women: Deborah Albuquerque (BRA), Marian Kiara Luna Micheri (ARG), Antonieta Parra Veizaga (BOL), and more.

• Men: Davi Carvalho Peres (BRA), Ariel Flores Cheun (ARG), Javier Leonardo Aliaga Nina (BOL), among others.

Their participation marks a hopeful sign of sport climbing's expanding footprint across Latin America.

The Lineup: Who's climbing in Curitiba

Despite its newcomer status as a host, Curitiba is attracting some of the sport’s biggest names. Among the most anticipated male competitors is Anraku Sorato, the Japanese phenom who took silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the combined Boulder and Lead event. Anraku is fresh off a near-perfect 99.7-point performance at the Keqiao season opener in China and is determined to cement his place atop the World Cup rankings in Curitiba.

He’ll face stiff competition from teammates Narasaki Tomoa, a seasoned World Cup veteran, and his younger brother Narasaki Meichi, both eager to continue Japan’s dominance in the sport. France’s top climbers, including Mejdi Schalck, Sam Avezou, and Paul Jenft, will also be competing in Curitiba.

In the women’s field, all eyes will be on Oriane Bertone (FRA), a past Boulder World Cup gold medallist, who hopes to claim her first win of the 2025 season in Curitiba.

A Momentous Occasion

More than just a sporting event, the IFSC World Cup in Curitiba represents a symbolic shift in the sport’s global reach. By entering South America for the first time, the IFSC signals its commitment to expanding climbing’s appeal and accessibility. The choice of Brazil - home to both a growing climbing community and vast, untapped outdoor climbing potential, feels both timely and strategic.

For Brazilian athletes like Deborah Albuquerque and Pedro Henrique Namba De Araújo, the event is a rare opportunity to compete at the highest level on home soil. For the South American climbing community, it’s a chance to be seen and recognised by a global audience.

Looking Ahead

The excitement surrounding Curitiba 2025 is palpable. Whether you're tuning in to watch your favourite climbers or cheering for an underdog from a debut nation, this event promises to deliver.

It’s not just about gold medals or World Cup points. It’s about opening the door to a new chapter in competitive climbing, one rooted in inclusivity, global growth, and a recognition that elite climbing can thrive far beyond its traditional strongholds. For Curitiba and South America, this is just the beginning.