On Saturday 26th April I was in Glasgow for the 2nd round of the Junior British Bouldering Championships. I got there nice and early, registered and was feeling psyched and ready for the day ahead.
Next our GB Comp vests were handed out by Rachel and Gracie which made being in the GB Bouldering Team very exciting and we looked like a team. 9 o’clock and we were allowed to go on the mats to work out our blocs. Each category had 8 blocs and Youth B and C were to start competing at 10 o’clock. We went round as a Team to help support and encourage each other. We had a very sketchy mantle on to a volume which finished when you stood up and matched your hands in the finishing square. The 2 hours we had to complete the 8 problems soon passed and I was really pleased to have topped 6 of them with 7 bonuses. They were incredibly hard climbs and very tiring. So it was time to refuel on food, relax and to wait for the qualifying results. At about 1 o’clock the results were posted and I had qualified for the final in an amazing second place.
Isolation opened at 3 o’clock and after a quick 20 minutes we were soon being called out in front of the competition wall. In the final there were 3 problems. We had 6 minutes to look at all of them and then the final started. Whilst in isolation you could tell that everybody’s problems were nails because not many people were coming back before the 4 minute time limit ended which was slightly off putting. I remained focused though and was prepared to give it my all, I was very determined and by the end of the final I was pleased with my performance. I feel as though I have improved both mentally and physically since December and I’m even more committed to carry on working hard.
