The competition begins on April 13 in Dadukou Park Square and will last for two days. Interested citizens can watch for free and take part in on-site experiences.

Starting April 13, over a hundred top rock climbers from around the world will gather in Dadukou Park Square to take part in the first stop of the 2012 IFSC Climbing World Cup. At that time, Dadukou Park Square will attract the attention of climbing enthusiasts worldwide.

The public can enjoy the action up close.

The 2012 IFSC Climbing World Cup – China Chongqing leg will be held grandly in Chongqing’s Dadukou District from April 13 to 14. The Climbing World Cup is one of the two major events organized by the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), the other being the World Climbing Championships. Similar to Formula 1 races, tennis tours, the Snooker Masters, and golf opens, the Climbing World Cup stages competitions in various locations globally. Athletes may choose to participate in selected events to accumulate points toward an annual overall ranking, with the highest scorer crowned the World Cup champion. Most participants are top-ranked athletes, making the World Cup stops the pinnacle of competitive climbing.

This year’s event is organized by the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), hosted by the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, the Chongqing Municipal Sports Bureau, and the People’s Government of Dadukou District, Chongqing, and co-organized by the Dadukou District Sports Bureau of Chongqing and Beijing Oude Gao Sports Development Co., Ltd. (Chongqing branch). The competition is of the highest caliber in the climbing world. There will be four events in total—men’s and women’s climbing and speed climbing—lasting two days. Elite athletes from Europe, Asia, Oceania, and other regions will come to Chongqing to compete.

“Audiences in Chongqing will have the chance to witness world-class climbers’ wall skills up close,” said Li Zhixin, Executive Committee member of the IFSC and Director of the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, at a press conference held by the Chongqing Municipal Government on March 20. At that time, major domestic and international media outlets will report live on the event, especially CCTV-5, which will feature special coverage of the climbing competition, and China National Radio will provide live updates. The official IFSC website, the Chinese Mountaineering Association website, as well as Xinhua.net, Huacao Net, and Cq.cqnews.net will offer full online livestreams.

Li Zhixin also noted that this is the first time a world-class climbing competition has come to Chongqing and the southwestern region, which will have a significant impact on the development of climbing sports in Chongqing and beyond. Next year, Chongqing will also host the 5th National Games, where climbing is one of the featured events. A high-level Climbing World Cup in Chongqing will certainly lay a solid foundation for the city's climbing competition during the National Games.

Dadukou Seizes the Opportunity to Showcase Its New Look

At the International Olympic Committee meeting held last year in Durban, South Africa, climbing was listed as one of the eight candidate sports for the 2020 Olympics. With the development of the times, climbing has become a popular urban sport—a new way for people to stay fit, challenge limits, and overcome themselves, and it is also a hot activity for national fitness.

How did Dadukou stand out among five or six domestic applicant cities? Li Zhixin explained that the modern Climbing World Cup is characterized by being trendy and fast-growing. Currently, there are relatively few such events in Asia, but with recent progress in sports development, five or six domestic cities have expressed interest in hosting. The choice of Dadukou District took full consideration of Chongqing’s mountainous urban character. By holding this event in a densely populated, highly influential area, the competition aims to showcase the appeal of the sport and promote its growth. Ultimately, the General Administration of Sport of China selected Dadukou to host the event, aiming to boost the region’s visibility and brand establishment, while also furthering the sport itself.

Officials in Dadukou District noted that the district’s sports scene is booming. For 15 consecutive years, it has been recognized as a national advanced unit for national fitness activities. In the past five years, athletes trained here have won 64 championships in global, continental, and national competitions, producing internationally renowned athletes such as Wushu routine world champions Xu Peng, Tang Lu, and Yuan Mengjie, badminton World Junior Champion and All England Open champion Li Xuerui, and women’s boxing championship 81kg gold medalist Wang Yanrui.

“After the relocation of Chongqing Iron and Steel Group for environmental reasons on September 23, 2011, Dadukou entered a brand-new historical turning point. Our socioeconomic development faces tremendous challenges, and these challenges align closely with this sport. We also want to use this climbing event to show the new face of Dadukou after the steel plant relocation, to display the spirit of a city of quality living and a district of emerging industries,” a Dadukou District official said.

According to reports, to allow citizens to watch the athletes’ amazing performances and even try climbing for themselves, this competition is not only free of charge but has also set up a dedicated free experience zone in Shunxiang Yijie Commercial Shopping Center in the Jiugongmiao business district near the venue. The experience activities will continue until the 15th of this month, with professional coaches on-site to assist.

By Chen Jun, Reporter, Chongqing Morning Post Intern Pu Jiang

From April 13–14, the 2012 IFSC Climbing World Cup – Dadukou leg will host over a hundred world-class athletes. Interested citizens can watch the exciting event up close and even join in hands-on experiences.

The upcoming 2012 IFSC Climbing World Cup – Dadukou leg competition site.