Champion Climber Akiyo Noguchi Climbs Her First V14
"I found myself completely absorbed, lost in the pure joy of giving everything to one boulder," said Akiyo Noguchi
Renowned Japanese climber Akiyo Noguchi has repeated The Globalist V14 in Finland, which was first climbed by Nalle Hukkataival in 2009.
About her send, Noguchi said, “It’s my first ever V14, and I’ve been told it’s also the FFA [first female ascent]. Such an honour to climb this beautiful, iconic line that represents the spirit of Sipoo. On the first day, I couldn’t even figure out the moves and it felt impossible. But through frustration, try and error, and the pressure of a short trip, I found myself completely absorbed, lost in the pure joy of giving everything to one boulder. Maybe I could have done it more easily when I was competing, but I’m proud that I could still meet a challenge that pushed me past my current limits.”
Noguchi arrived on the international comp scene in 2007, entering the IFSC Bouldering World Cup series. Her breakthrough came in 2009 when she won her first World Cup title, defeating defending champion Anna Stöhr. She went on to dominate, winning 58 Bouldering World Cup medals – the most by any female boulderer at the time. She also earned multiple medals in Lead and Combined events.
“I’m deeply thankful to all the local climbers in Finland who supported me along the way,” she said after climbing The Globalist. “This experience reminded me how powerful it is to keep believing, no matter the stage of life you’re in.”
