What Is 2022 IFSC Climbing World Cup

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2022 IFSC Climbing World Cup was a series of 17 international competitions in lead, bouldering, and speed disciplines held from April to September 2022, featuring over 500 athletes from 50+ countries. Jakob Schubert and Janja Garnbret won the overall titles in lead climbing and bouldering, respectively.

Key Facts

The 2022 IFSC Climbing World Cup included 17 events across 10 countries from April to September 2022
Speed, bouldering, and lead climbing were the three disciplines featured in the competition series
A total of 512 athletes from 53 nationalities participated in the 2022 season
Jakob Schubert of Austria won the men’s overall lead title, his fourth career win
Janja Garnbret of Slovenia claimed her fifth consecutive women’s bouldering title

Overview

The 2022 IFSC Climbing World Cup marked a pivotal season in competitive climbing, serving as a crucial qualifier and preparation phase for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Organized by the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), the series spanned 17 events across 10 countries, featuring elite climbers in three disciplines: speed, bouldering, and lead.

With events beginning in April in Meiringen, Switzerland, and concluding in September in Innsbruck, Austria, the season attracted over 500 athletes from more than 50 nations. The structure allowed climbers to accumulate points across multiple stops to determine overall seasonal champions in each category.

17 events were held in 2022: 6 bouldering, 7 lead, and 4 speed competitions across Europe, Asia, and China.
The season kicked off on April 8, 2022, in Meiringen, Switzerland, with a bouldering event that drew 146 athletes.
Speed climbing events took place in Chamonix, Jakarta, and Seoul, introducing new timing systems to enhance fairness and precision.
Janja Garnbret of Slovenia dominated the women’s bouldering circuit, winning three of six events and securing her fifth straight title.
Jakob Schubert of Austria claimed the men’s lead title after podium finishes in Briançon and Innsbruck, marking his fourth career World Cup title.

How It Works

The IFSC Climbing World Cup follows a points-based ranking system where athletes earn points based on their finishing positions across multiple events in each discipline. The cumulative scores determine the overall seasonal winners.

Discipline Types: Competitors participate in bouldering, lead, or speed climbing. Each has distinct rules, formats, and scoring systems tailored to the physical demands of the style.
Event Scoring: Athletes earn points based on placement—1st place receives 100 points, decreasing incrementally down to 1 point for 20th place or lower.
Season Rankings: Only an athlete’s best five results in bouldering and lead, and best four in speed, count toward the final standings to allow for strategic event selection.
Qualification Path: Top performers gain ranking points crucial for Olympic qualification, especially with the 2024 Paris Games on the horizon.
Global Rotation: Events rotate annually among host cities; in 2022, stops included Chamonix, Jakarta, Villars, and Morioka, enhancing global visibility.
Anti-Doping Measures: The IFSC enforced WADA-compliant testing at all events, conducting over 120 tests during the season to ensure fair competition.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the three climbing disciplines featured in the 2022 IFSC World Cup, highlighting key differences in format, duration, and scoring:

Discipline	Wall Height / Route Type	Avg. Duration	Scoring Method	Top 2022 Athlete
Bouldering	4.5 meters, 4-5 problems	4 minutes per problem	Top zone and attempts	Janja Garnbret (SLO)
Lead	15+ meters, single route	6 minutes to ascend	Highest hold reached	Jakob Schubert (AUT)
Speed	15 meters, standardized wall	Under 10 seconds	Fastest time in knockout rounds	Speed winners: Reza Alipour (IRI), Aleksandra Miroslaw (POL)
Number of Events	6	7	4	—
Max Points per Event	100	100	100	—

The table illustrates how each discipline challenges different skill sets—bouldering emphasizes power and technique, lead tests endurance and strategy, and speed demands explosive precision. The 2022 season highlighted the growing specialization among climbers, with few athletes competing at the elite level across all three.

Why It Matters

The 2022 IFSC Climbing World Cup played a vital role in advancing the sport’s global profile and Olympic legitimacy. With climbing’s inclusion in the 2024 Paris Olympics, the season served as a critical proving ground for athletes aiming to qualify and refine their strategies.

Paris 2024 qualification: The World Cup results contributed directly to national federation rankings, influencing Olympic team allocations.
Increased media coverage: Broadcasts reached over 120 countries, with IFSC partnering with Eurosport and Olympic Channel for wider distribution.
Gender parity: Equal prize money and event numbers for men and women reinforced the IFSC’s commitment to inclusivity.
Emerging nations: Athletes from Indonesia, Iran, and Poland achieved podium finishes, signaling a diversification of climbing talent.
Technological integration: Electronic timing and AI-assisted route analysis improved scoring accuracy and athlete feedback.
Youth inspiration: Over 30,000 young climbers attended live events or participated in associated clinics, boosting grassroots engagement.

As competitive climbing evolves, the 2022 season underscored the sport’s balance between athletic rigor and global accessibility, setting a strong precedent for future World Cup circuits.