At the IFSC PanAmerican Championships last weekend, Alannah Yip and Colin Duffy rounded out the North American roster for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Duffy is the fourth and final member of Team USA to qualify for Tokyo 2020 – Nathaniel Coleman, Kyra Condie and Brooke Raboutou already qualified at previous qualification events – and Yip joins Sean McColl as the representatives of Team Canada. The combined event (lead, bouldering, speed) took place at Sender One climbing gym in Los Angeles.
Duffy’s Rise
A Colorado local and member of Team ABC, 16-year-old Duffy has become an American phenom in competition climbing. Internationally, he quickly rose to prominence by winning back-to-back youth world championships in Youth B Lead in 2017-2018. Duffy has excelled at home as well, and especially of late. He kicked-off 2020 by claiming the USA youth bouldering title in Youth A and placed second at the USA Combined Invitational. Now, he is the youngest climber to qualify for Tokyo 2020.
“I’d like to thank my parents, my climbing team back in Boulder, Colorado, the whole US team and anyone who supported me up to this point,” said Duffy after the award ceremony.
Yip’s Rebound
Yip hails from Vancouver and has been competing in international climbing competitions since 2007. She is a regular on the IFSC World Cup circuit and excels in bouldering, ranking tenth in the world. After missing out on Olympic berths at the previous qualification events in Toulouse and Hachioji, Yip rebounded in Los Angeles. She relied on her strong bouldering performance in the finals to join longtime family friend McColl in qualifying for Tokyo.
“I still can’t believe it. I’m going to the Olympics! So thankful for everyone’s support, near and far,” said Yip on her Instagram.
Los Angeles marked the last Tokyo 2020 qualification event for North American athletes. So far, the US and Japan are the only countries to reach full quota (two men and two women). The Olympics in Tokyo will take place on August 4-7 and will be a first for climbing.
The list of qualified athletes can be found on the IFSC website, and a complete guide to climbing at the Olympics can be read here.
Climbing Business Journal is an independent news outlet dedicated to covering the indoor climbing industry. Here you will find the latest coverage of climbing industry news, gym developments, industry best practices, risk management, climbing competitions, youth coaching and routesetting. Have an article idea? CBJ loves to hear from readers like you!
