South African climbing sensations selected for IFSC Youth World Championships in China.

Fairland resident Jemma Erdey and Melville’s Adam Preston have been selected to represent South Africa at the IFSC Youth World Championships in China this August.

As two of the youngest climbers in the South African Youth Climbing Team, they will join a national squad comprising 17 athletes from across the country. The team was carefully chosen through a rigorous national qualification process in March, with climbers who have demonstrated exceptional skills in disciplines such as bouldering, lead climbing, and speed climbing.

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The highly anticipated IFSC Youth World Championships is scheduled to take place in Guiyang, China from August 22. This prestigious annual event attracts the most promising young climbers from around the globe, providing them with an unparalleled opportunity to gain international experience and recognition.

Thirteen-year-old Jemma, brimming with excitement, expressed her delight at qualifying to compete in all three disciplines, remarking, “As one of the youngest competitors in the team, it is a huge honour to represent my country against the best in the world.”

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In preparation for the championships, Jemma will be travelling to Slovakia in July to participate in the European Youth Cup in Lead and Speed as a warm-up competition. She currently trains at CityROCK Johannesburg under the expert guidance of her coach, Devin Sender.

For Adam Preston, this will not be his first international competition. Having travelled with Team South Africa to Seoul, South Korea in 2023, he is eager to take on the world stage once again. Adam shared his enthusiasm, saying, “Competing on the world stage is like a dream come true for me. Climbing is awesome because you are constantly trying to solve a problem using your whole body.” Adam is a member of 1on1 Adventures and trains at the same facility as his teammate, Jemma.

As these exceptional young climbers gear up for their international journey, it is important to note that each athlete is responsible for funding their own travel expenses. Carmen Bouwer, the team manager, emphasised the commitment of their management team to ensure that no athlete misses out due to financial constraints. Bouwer called upon sponsors from all sectors to step up and help turn these talented athletes’ dreams into reality.

The South African Youth Climbing Team is confident in the abilities of Jemma Erdey, Adam Preston, and their fellow teammates as they embark on this incredible opportunity to showcase their skills on the global stage. The nation eagerly awaits their performances and wishes them the best of luck in their pursuit of success at the IFSC Youth World Championships.

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