2017The KAILAS National Climbing Hope Star event kicks off
--- Sun Zhishan
Group photo of leaders from the Mountaineering Association and young students at the launch ceremony
2017Year3Month25Day,2017The 2017 KAILAS National Climbing Hope Star event and the Guangzhou Station Invitational Competition joyfully commenced, with the launch ceremony held at Tianhe Sports Center in Guangzhou. Leaders including Li Zhixin, Vice President of the International Federation of Sport Climbing and President of the Chinese Mountaineering Association, Wang Yuping, Director of the Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau, and Luo Jingjun, Director of the Guangzhou Municipal Sports Bureau, attended the launch ceremony.
Additionally,2015Zhong Qixin, the annual overall champion of the IFSC Climbing World Cup, also attended the ceremony as a special guest.150Climbing youngsters from across the country witnessed the kickoff of the year-long event and participated in the Guangzhou Station exchange competition. Among the participants were Gao Weiyue, who earned the title of Climbing Hope Star last year, contestants who traveled from as far as Yinchuan, Shanghai, and Changsha, as well as active supporters of climbing development such as Zhongshan Jucheng Primary School, one of the organizers in the Pearl River Delta region. Bolstered by the strong promotion of the Guangzhou Outdoor Festival, the launch ceremony—serving as the beginning of the annual series of events—was both unique and captivating.
At9a.m.30the launch ceremony began, with youth representative Gao Weiyue reading the “Hope Declaration.” Subsequently, Li Zhixin, President of the Chinese Mountaineering Association, awarded the title of image ambassador for the Climbing Hope Star event to Zhong Qixin, the overall champion of the 2016 IFSC Climbing World Cup, and presented flags of the Climbing Hope Star event to representatives of the national organizing partners.2015Zhong Qixin, the annual overall champion of the International Federation of Sport Climbing World Cup in that year, presented the certificate of image ambassador for the Climbing Hope Stars event and awarded the Climbing Hope Stars flags to representatives of the national organizers.
Li Zhixin presents the certificate to Zhong Qixin
9At50a.m., Li Zhixin, President of the Chinese Mountaineering Association, announced the official launch of the 2017 KAILAS National Climbing Hope Star event, marking the commencement of the national climbing youth program. Following the announcement, leaders from the Chinese Mountaineering Association, along with Zhong Qixin and the participating youth, took commemorative photos. Zhong Qixin also interacted with the young climbers, who, upon meeting their climbing idol, could not contain their excitement and admiration, eagerly asking for his autograph.2017The Kailas National Climbing Hope Stars event was launched in that year, marking the official commencement of the national Climbing Hope Stars initiative. Subsequently, leaders from the Chinese Mountaineering Association took photos with Zhong Qixin and the young participants. Zhong Qixin also interacted with the young climbers, who, upon seeing their climbing idol, could not contain their excitement and admiration, eagerly asking him for autographs.
Zhong Qixin interacts with the young participants
After the launch ceremony, we interviewed Cao Rongwu, Secretary-General of the Youth Committee of the Chinese Mountaineering Association. Secretary Cao stated that2017the 2017 Climbing Hope Star event selected100organizing partners nationwide, with each partner hosting two to three competitions throughout the year, culminating in over200climbing competitions. The scale of the competitions remained similar to previous years, but the quality has significantly improved. Moreover, this year’s novelty includes the introduction of amateur grading assessments, with certificates awarded to young participants. Secretary Cao expressed strong confidence in the future grassroots foundation of climbing. He noted that currently, youths account for60%-70%of all climbers, and among young climbers, roughly10%will eventually pursue a professional path. World champion Zhong Qixin started climbing as a child. The future development plan for climbing by the Mountaineering Association is to build a pyramid for youth climbing—promote widespread participation among youths, nurture those interested in climbing, identify talent, and select professional athletes. Lastly, Secretary Cao candidly shared that the current youth base in climbing is particularly strong; for children, climbing is inherently fun. Kids climb simply for the joy of it, without ulterior motives. “We don’t instill ideas like willpower, competition, or future college or award prospects. Interest is the best guide. Only when kids are interested can the sport truly thrive and expand.”
Young participants competing in the preliminary rounds after the launch ceremony
This event was organized by the Chinese Mountaineering Association, and hosted by the Guangzhou Mass Sports Guidance Center, Guangzhou Mountaineering Association, and Guangzhou Rock Climbing and Extreme Sports Association. It was co-organized by local Guangzhou-based climbing promoters such as Guangzhou Chuntian and Guangzhou Tianguangyuan, as well as related clubs. In addition to title sponsor KAILAS Outdoor, the event received sponsorship support from Yili’s Amxi. Guests from the Chinese Mountaineering Association, the Youth Committee of the Chinese Mountaineering Association, the sports bureaus of Guangdong and Guangzhou, as well as representatives from Climbing Hope Star organizing partners and sponsors, attended the launch ceremony.
Youth rock climbing activities are in full swing
In recent years, outdoor rock climbing has flourished thanks to the booming sports environment, gradually evolving into a diverse activity that combines fun, experience, and competition within the realm of outdoor sports. The "Climbing Hope Stars" program is a public welfare initiative launched by the Chinese Mountaineering Association to promote rock climbing. It targets youth nationwide and offers accessible opportunities to engage with the sport. Each year, tens of thousands of young people participate through local climbing organizations. Through a multi-tiered program that includes experience, selection, training, and competition, participants gradually grow into future stars of the sport, laying a solid foundation for the future development of rock climbing in China.