Wuhan Finals (Photo provided by Liu Zexian)
On November 10, after nearly a year of regional selections, over 150 young rock climbing talents from across the country gathered at the China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) Climbing Gym. Over the two-day finals, annual titles were awarded in various categories including men’s and women’s youth groups, as well as junior groups aged 7–17 divided into A, B, C, and D divisions. With this, the much-anticipated 2013 KAILAS National Youth Rock Climbing Hope Stars Finals, which lasted nearly a year, concluded successfully.
In recent years, as the domestic rock climbing scene has flourished, this versatile and trendy sport has not only won the affection of young and middle-aged individuals but has also gained immense popularity among teenagers. When the youth thrive, the nation thrives; when the youth are strong, the nation is strong. The future of mass fitness undoubtedly lies with the youth.
KAILAS "Climbing Hope Stars" Wuhan Finals (Photo provided by Liu Zexian)
The "Climbing Hope Stars" program is a large-scale initiative where local professional climbing organizations introduce, train, and select young climbers to identify regional "Hope Stars," who then compete nationally to become national-level Hope Stars. This approach—using training, selection, camps, and competitions to promote outdoor activities among youth—has been widely welcomed by both parents and students. From April to November 2013, the "KAILAS Climbing Hope Stars" events were held in 40 cities across 50 climbing gyms, sparking a new wave of youth climbing enthusiasm nationwide.
Young competitors at the "Climbing Hope Stars" Finals (Photo provided by Liu Zexian)
Before the competition, Vice Chief Judge Xu Weihong explains the bouldering routes to the young athletes (Photo provided by Liu Zexian)
Ding Xianghua, Director of the Climbing and Ice Climbing Department at the China Mountaineering Association, summarized that the national youth climbing promotion campaign has allowed more and more young people to experience the charm of climbing, evolving into a grand festival for youth climbers nationwide. The "Climbing Hope Stars" event has become a key platform for national youth climbing exchanges and gatherings. Moreover, this year’s youth climbing activities included interwoven events such as World Youth Championships qualifiers and national youth championships, featuring diverse formats like experiences, games, lessons, training, and competitions. Activities combined indoor and outdoor settings, artificial and natural walls, as well as survival skills, making the program richer than ever. For example, the Wuhan Finals featured creative events like wall tug-of-war and a "Where Are We Going, Dad?" climbing challenge, which were highly popular among the youth.
Creative wall tug-of-war competition (Photo provided by Liu Zexian)
Compared to previous years, this year’s promotion campaign was larger in scale, broader in reach, longer in duration, and richer in content. The number of participating cities expanded from 16 last year to 40, with promotion points increasing to 50. Over 20,000 youths and parents directly participated, while over 300,000 spectators watched the competitions. The campaign also unearthed a large number of promising talents, injecting fresh blood into China’s competitive climbing scene. These young climbers are set to become the next generation of China’s climbing elite.
This was not only a competitive event but also a joyful gathering. Alongside young climbers from across the country, China’s top competitive climber and world champion Zhong Qixin also attended. As the year-round ambassador for the "KAILAS Climbing Hope Stars," Zhong was one of the busiest and most active figures at the Wuhan event. He contributed to carnival activities, demonstrated speed climbing for the kids, and interacted with parents and children on-site, answering questions. Through his personal example, he alleviated many parents’ concerns about climbing safety and difficulty. During the Wuhan Finals, young climbers such as Pan Yufei and Zhang Yuexiong from Guangdong delivered outstanding performances, easily winning their respective group titles and being named annual Hope Stars. Events like the "Climbing Hope Stars" have also helped solidify the status of major climbing hubs such as Beijing, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and Shenzhen, where youth climbing is rapidly growing.
"Climbing Hope Stars" Ambassador Zhong Qixin interacting with children (Photo provided by Liu Zexian)
In addition to crowning the youth "Climbing Hope Stars," the Wuhan Finals also recognized a number of outstanding promotion and organizing units. Thanks to the full participation and coordination of these units, along with strong support from KAILAS, this national event for youth climbing in 2013 became a resounding success.
Since 2009, KAILAS has consistently supported domestic youth climbing initiatives, from small local efforts to this year’s nationwide "Climbing Hope Stars" campaign. The trend of youth becoming the core demographic for climbing’s future is becoming increasingly clear. This grand promotion campaign focuses not only on climbing itself but also on KAILAS’s collaboration with the Chinese Mountaineering Association to support the long-term, holistic development of young people.
Signing ceremony of KAILAS donation agreement with China University of Geosciences Education Development Foundation (Photo provided by Liu Zexian)
As a professional climbing brand, KAILAS has long been committed to advancing China’s grassroots mountaineering and exploration movement, sponsoring individual expeditions and major outdoor events. It has also promoted public welfare projects such as the "KAILAS Outdoor Coaches Growth Program," "KAILAS Climbing Team," and "KAILAS Mountaineering and Exploration School," cultivating a significant pool of talent for China’s climbing and outdoor sports. Its focus on youth development is equally strong. During the "Climbing Hope Stars" Finals, KAILAS Marketing Director Cao Jun, representing the brand, signed a donation agreement with Li Xulong (President) of the China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) Education Development Foundation, continuing its support for higher education. These efforts have made important contributions to the popularization and development of climbing and outdoor sports in China.
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