Sorato Anraku Secures Historic Five-Win Streak Atop 2026 Men's Boulder Standings

The 2026 sport climbing season has been defined by a single, unstoppable force in the men's bouldering discipline. Nineteen-year-old Japanese phenomenon Sorato Anraku has established an insurmountable lead in the World Climbing Series standings, capturing five consecutive gold medals.[1][2]

Anraku's historic streak spans the globe, with victories in Keqiao, Bern, Madrid, Prague, and Innsbruck. The run has cemented his status as the undisputed king of the newly rebranded World Climbing Series, which transitioned from the IFSC World Cup moniker in December 2025.[1][2]

His most recent triumph in Innsbruck showcased the sheer gap between Anraku and the rest of the elite field. In the final round, he was the only athlete to secure three tops, finishing with a commanding 74.0 points. Fellow Japanese climber Rei Kawamata and South Korea's Dohyun Lee trailed significantly, both finishing with 59.3 points to round out the podium.[1]

"I'm really happy with this victory," Anraku said following the Innsbruck final. "Innsbruck is always a very special place, and today's atmosphere was once again unique. I always want to win, but I also know it's never guaranteed. The other athletes are incredibly strong as well."[1]

That strength was evident earlier in the season, particularly during a nail-biting showdown in Prague. There, Anraku struggled on the second boulder problem, failing to secure even a zone hold. However, he rallied to top the remaining problems, narrowly edging out Lee by a razor-thin margin of just two-tenths of a point to claim his first-ever victory in the Czech capital.[4][5]

In contrast, Anraku's performance in Bern was a masterclass in flawless execution. He was the only climber in the final to top all four problems, flashing the first and requiring only two attempts each for the remaining three. "It was a hard round," Anraku reflected. "I'm just happy every time I can show my climbing and take a victory."[2]

The chasing pack, while exceptionally talented, has been relegated to battling for silver and bronze. France's Mejdi Schalck, a 21-year-old powerhouse and former Prague champion, has been Anraku's most consistent challenger. Schalck, who spent the winter ticking off world-class outdoor testpieces like the 8C/V15 Sleepwalker in Nevada, has brought that raw power to the competition mats, taking silver in Bern and bronze in Prague.[2][4]

Belgium's Hannes Van Duysen and Japan's Sohta Amagasa have also made their presence felt in the standings, engaging in tight battles for podium spots when Anraku, Schalck, and Lee leave an opening. Yet, the overarching narrative of the 2026 boulder season remains Anraku's absolute dominance.[2]

This level of control is rare in modern competition bouldering, where the margin for error is microscopic and the physical demands are constantly evolving. Anraku, who won the 2025 World Championship in Seoul and took Olympic silver in Paris, has somehow found another gear in his young career.[1][3]

As the World Climbing Series shifts its primary focus to the Lead discipline for the remainder of the summer—with athletes like Italy's Filip Schenk and Slovenia's Janja Garnbret topping early qualification standings—Anraku's boulder title is effectively secured.[1]

However, Anraku is a dual-threat athlete who also claimed the overall lead title in his 2023 rookie season. As the climbing world watches to see if his bouldering dominance will translate to the lead wall, his five-win streak will stand as one of the most remarkable achievements in the sport's history.[1][3]