Medal success in Villars at the Paraclimbing European Championships
The IFSC Paraclimbing European Championships in Villars, Switzerland, this weekend saw 13 GB Climbing athletes clip into the Lead wall, delivering strong performances and personal bests across the board.
The competition, taking place in Villars-sur-Ollon, saw Alex Thraxton, competing in the Men’s AL2 competition, make their international debut. The 28-year-old finished the competition in 10th place.
Six GB Climbing athletes were headed to the finals after Saturday’s qualifying round.
18-year-old Seb Musson, the AU2 British Champion, took his first silver medal, in his second year of international competition, the young athlete has never finished lower than fourth place at an IFSC World Cup or Championship event.
On his silver medal winning performance, Musson said: "It has been a really big moment for me this season gaining my first podium position.
"It's been a tough season balancing studying for my A-Levels and training, but thankfully it has all paid off as I got the medal and a place to study Law at Sheffield Hallam University.
"Each competition I feel that I'm getting stronger and gaining more experience competing on the world stage and this medal has given me the confidence and motivation I needed for the British Paraclimbing Championships and the World Cup Series in Arco."
Joining Musson on the podium was seasoned competitor James Rudge, who after narrowly missing out the medals earlier this year at the Salt Lake City Paraclimbing World Cup, finally secured his first ever international medal taking the Bronze.
Joanna Newton is no stranger to a final at a Championship event having previously secured silver at the 2019 Paraclimbing World Championships in 2019. This weekend, saw her add a bronze medal to her collection after finishing in third place on a countback behind Fiamma Cocchi of Italy. Lucie Jarrige of France took gold.
Rounding out the podiums for GB Climbing was RP1 athlete Luke Jamieson. The competition in Villars was Jamieson’s best ever performance and saw him take the teams third bronze medal of the weekend.
Anita Aggarwall (RP3) and Luke Smith (RP3) finished their finals in 4th and 5th place.
The full team’s results are listed below
Men’s AL2
Alex Thraxton - 10th
Jonathan Shields - DNS (injured)
Women’s AL2
Joanna Newton - 3rd
Men’s AU2
Sebastian Musson - 2nd
James Rudge - 3rd
Women’s AU2
Isabella Walsh - 5th
Men’s RP1
Luke Jamieson - 3rd
Laurence Morgan - 6th
Alex Downes - 12th
Men’s RP3
Luke Smith - 5th
Women’s RP1
Cambell Plant - 5th
Lucy Keyworth - 7th
Women’s RP3
Anita Aggarwal - 4th
Men’s AU3
Matthew Styles-West - 6th
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