Ashima Shiraishi OK After 15-Metre Gym Ground-Fall

Ashima Shiraishi was climbing at Stone Summit in Georgia with her father, who is also her coach and longtime climbing partner. As Andrew Bisharat wrote in his article for National Geographic Explorer, “Hisatoshi ‘Poppo’ Shiraishi, was belaying her when the rope accidentally slipped through his hands—an error that, while not common, is also not unprecedented.” Read the full article here.

Despite falling 15 metres, Shiraishi walked out of the hospital with only bruises. She will undergo further check-ups to be sure she is healthy enough to compete in the American Nationals next week.

As some of you may have heard, I decked from 45 feet at a climbing gym yesterday. Luckily I was able to walk out of the hospital without anything broken or fractured. Although I have a few bruises on my back my doctor said that I was ok to climb as soon as I felt comfortable. I feel unbelievably lucky to not have any major injuries. Thank you so much to those who helped me at the accident and for the prayers ?

A photo posted by Ashima | 阿島 (@ashimashiraishi) on Jul 8, 2016 at 4:05pm PDT