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These Canadians Are Heading to 2018 World Championships

This week, climbing fans and 531 registered athletes from 57 countries and five continents will “climb, come together, celebrate” at IFSC Climbing & Paraclimbing World Championships Innsbruck 2018.

There are 173 athletes registered to compete in all three Bouldering, Lead and Speed climbing disciplines this year at the biannual, signature event.

The following athletes are some of Canada’s top competition climbers and they’ll be competing at the World Championships.

Lucas Uchida

Lucas Uchida is based in Ontario, is 20 years old and has been competing in IFSC events for the past five years.

In 2017, he placed first in Junior Lead and Boulder at the PanAmerican Youth Championships in Montreal.

What a week. After a great time at the @jackalopefest and a great time setting at @blocshop I got pretty ?❄️??? and had to spend the remainder of my Montreal trip resting and recovering. Sadly the training part of the trip did not go as I was hoping it would which was pretty disappointing. All good now though! Thanks to a very good “amateur nurse”? and lots of rest I am feeling much better, and am back home in Toronto to give it my all in the final week before World Championships in Innsbruck, AUT! Hoping this week goes smoothly! @mec @lasportivana @petzlofficial @boulderzclimbingcentre @boulderz_jt @tokyopowder #mecambassador #mecnation #skyambissionsteam #lasportiva #tokyopowderindustries #jackalopefest #training #recovery #sick #ill #climbing #montreal #competition #festival #bouldering

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Alannah Yip

Alannah Yip has been one of Canada’s top comp climbers on a regional, national and international level for the past few years.

In 2017, she was the Lead, Speed and Boulder champion in Canada. Her best finish on the world cup circuit was fifth in Chongqing.

Babette Roy

At 16, Babette Roy is the youngest Canadian heading to Innsbruck. She recently competed in the Youth World Championships.

This spring, she set a new speed record for Canadian women at 10.72 seconds. “I can’t believe that happened,” she said. “I surprised myself with this result. My coach is proud of me. My family and friends are proud of me. I’m proud.”

Sean McColl

Sean McColl is Canada’s most decorated competitor to date, with dozens of semi-finals and finals rounds behind him, McColl has the experience to reach the podium.

McColl was disappointed in his last outing at the Munich World Cup where he finished 95, so watch out for McColl to be bringing his best.

Becca Frangos

At 20, Becca Frangos has competed at more World Cup events in 2018 than any Canadian woman. She’s competed at Munich, Arco, Briancon, Chamonix, Villars, Hachioji and Vail.

In Canada, she’s won countless comps and while she hasn’t made Finals on the world stage this year, she’s consistently finishing strong.

Jason Holowach

Saskatoon gym owner Jason Holowach has been competing on the world stage for 18 years, with his first IFSC comp being the Youth World Championships in Amsterdam.

This year, Holowach has competed at eight World Cups and finished an impressive 15th in Hachioji.

Seb Lazure

Seb Lazure is a champion climber from Montreal who’s competed at five Boulder World Cups with his best finish being 25th in Vail.

In 2017, Lazure was 37th in the world ranking and this year he’s on track to finish top 50.

Bronwen Karnis

Ontario climber Bronwen Karnis is 18 and recently competed at her last Youth World Championships, finishing in 20th in Boulder and Lead.

When asked about specific training, Bronwen said, “I have a specific training plan with my coach, we try to experiment a bit and change it often. He does most of the work though and is really smart so it’s usually worked for me.”

Allison Vest

Allison Vest was the 2018 Boulder National Champion in Canada and has won a number of big comps over the years.

Vest has been competing on the international circuit since 2012 with her best finish being in Female Youth A Boulder at the PanAmerican Championships in Santiago.

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