MANILA, Philippines - Over the past years, sport climbing has been emerging significantly in the local field of athletics. The sport has acquired a substantial amount of following especially among the youth. In a conscious effort to support and nurture the growing sport, a non-stock and non-profit organization called SCAPI, was formed for the purpose of promoting awareness about competitive sport climbing in the Philippines.
As part of SCAPI’s efforts, the organization, together with sponsors such as R.O.X, Black Diamond, 8a, Boon, Power-up, and Sandugo, came up with a sport climbing event competition known as the Young, Wild, and Free Series.
The competition involved four competing categories for Junior climbers and Novice climbers. Climbers tested their abilities through the On-sight Top-Rope Climbing, which was divided into the Qualifying and Finals rounds.
Four legs have already been held all over the metro, gathering over 90 young competitors all over Manila to showcase their skills and abilities. The winning climbers then composed the Manila Youth Team.
Last Dec. 8, climbers gathered once again at R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street to battle it out in the championship leg. For the final rounds of the competition, the participants were given a limited time to review the walls they were to climb and stayed in an isolated room while waiting for their turn. After which, they were given a single attempt to reach the top of the wall.
Aside from the prestige of making it to the Manila Youth Team, the winners per category took home medals and prizes from Black Diamond, Mountain Hardwear, and Boon Technical Clothing.
During the 5th leg, the top 5 category winners were from Junior C: Julianne Dy, Anis Pszenica, Czarina Orilino, Mai Asmussen, Arcela Gelogo, Don Vic Arles, Luke Vice Arles, Christian Ramos, Michael Lingad, Magnus Lindenfors.
Junior B: Alissandra Joyce Llanes, Bea Legaspi, Alliyah Francheska Flores, Pam Liedo, Oskar Lindendors, Jarod Fernando, Leonardo Go, Leopold Lions, Simon Lindendors.
Junior A: Girls Bea Dacanay, Katrina Corpus, Ma. Dominique Nicole Berenguer, Caroline Strang, Nicole Cuenca, John Rey Lingad, Steven Villanueva, Gerald Lingad, Robert Christian Yazon, IzzyBantug.
Novice: Women’s Antonette Bersuela, Mary Rose Paquit, Kerstine Grace Locre, LeiviInciong, Camille, Maala, Rafael Dan Bernard C. Diaz, Dennis Cinatas, Christ Camba, Ralf Christian Gabriel D. Escalona.
For inquiries, call R.O.X. at 856-4638 to 39, e-mail rox.cs@primergrp.com or like it on Facebook. Visit R.O.X. at Bonifacio High Street Taguig, Ayala Center Cebu, Marquee Mall Pampanga, Ayala Technohub, Camp John Hay, Baguio, and Ayala Centrio Cagayan de Oro.