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SCMP Reporter

Sport climbing is set to make its first appearance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and the first round of qualification tournaments take place from August 11-17 in Tokyo.
Climbing has made the leap from mountain skill toathletic event, and now indoor climbing gets the Olympic nod.  
Three forms of climbing – speed climbing, indoor bouldering, and indoor lead climbing – will be present under sport climbing umbrella in Tokyo. 
This handy infographic explains everything you need to know about sport climbing and how the medal hopefuls will be picked ahead of its debut.


Or, check out this video for more details on the tournaments leading to the Games.






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Record-setting teen climber says Sherpas should be seen as team leaders, not just guides

Climbing and mountaineering

Tokyo 2020 Olympics sport climbing explained – combined format and qualification process

Sport climber Yau Ka-chun hopes to qualify for the 2020 Olympics. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Climbing Everest: an expensive way to live and die

A traffic jam of climbers on the Hillary Step of Everest. Photo: AFP

In this picture taken on 23 May, 2019, Nepali officials unload bodies of Everest climbers who died in previous seasons, at the helipad of Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. - The bodies of four climbers who failed their Everest challenge and left little clue as to their identity has thrown up a new challenge for Nepalese authorities trying to clean up the world's tallest peak. (Photo by Dipen SHRESTHA / AFP) / TO GO WITH: Nepal-Everest-bodies-mountaineering, by Paavan MATHEMA)

Mingma David Sherpa for Everest story. Photo: Handout

Rock climbing in China owes debt to American Mike Dobie for developing sport that saved him from his demons

Mike Dobie climbing one of Liming’s hardest trad route, ‘Another World’. Photo: Ryder Stroud

Jenny Fischer climbing in Liming - the elite US climber came to Liming twice over the past half year.Credit Alex Reshikov.jpg

Mike ascending a fixed rope carrying up a drill while opening new sport climbing routes in Liming Credit Pavel Toropov.jpg

Mike Dobie climbing one of the routes he himself recently opened Credit Pavel Toropov.jpg

Liming's major tourist attraction - Thousand Turtle Mountain, a walkway and cable car now lead to mountain top but not many tourists are willing to make the long trip from Lijiang Credit Pavel Toropov.jpg

Mike Dobie leading an extremely difficult trad route in Liming called the Flying Buttress Credit Ryder Stroud.jpg

Mike Dobie in Liming - he first came here in 2010 Credit Alex Reshikov.jpg

Seven of the best places to go rock climbing in Hong Kong, plus preparation tips and why it’s good for your health and fitness

Hong Kong’s many granite and volcanic outcrops make it a great place to indulge in a sport that provides an intense workout for both body and mind

Francis Haden (L) and his wife Donna Kwok (R), pose for a photography at Tung Lung Island, Hong Kong. 05AUG17 SCMP / May Tse [FEATURES]

--LOW RES. IMAGE-- This handout image shows Rock climbing at Lion Rock. Photo: Stuart Mills [15AUGUST2017 FEATURES ROCK]

Visitor walks passing at Holiday Store, Tung Lung Island. 05AUG17 SCMP / May Tse [FEATURES]

Francis Haden climbs his way up a challenging rock wall at Tung Lung Island, Hong Kong. 05AUG17 SCMP / May Tse [FEATURES]

Francis Haden points to one of the hundreds of messages written on pieces of styrofoam (in the middle) that have washed up on the island’s shores and now line the cafe’s ceiling and walls. It’s a message from legendary American climber Todd Skinner, who visited the island in 1992, at Holiday Store in Tung Lung Island. 05AUG17 SCMP / May Tse [FEATURES]

Climbers Winsome Fung (L) and her boyfriend Rex Chu (R) at Tung Lung Island, Hong Kong. 05AUG17 SCMP / May Tse [FEATURES]

Climbing equipment from Francis Haden, are seen at Tung Lung Island, Hong Kong. 05AUG17 SCMP / May Tse [FEATURES]

Donna Kwok (L) belays her husband Francis Haden (R) scaling a rock climbing wall at Tung Lung Island, Hong Kong. 05AUG17 SCMP / May Tse [FEATURES]

Climbers Rex Chu climbs his way up a challenging rock wall at Tung Lung Island, Hong Kong. 05AUG17 SCMP / May Tse [FEATURES]

Francis Haden (right) hugs with his old friends Li Chi-luen (left), Li's working at Holiday Store over 20 yrs, at Tung Lung Island. 05AUG17 SCMP / May Tse [FEATURES]

A climber ascends a rock face in Hong Kong’s Central district. Photo: Stuart Millis

Sport

Outdoor

Extreme Sports

How to Guides


Everything you need to know on bouldering, speed and lead climbing as the countdown to the Olympic Games continues

