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This 14-Year-Old Girl Is One of the Best Rock Climbers in the World
At just 14 years old, Ashima Shiraishi is widely considered to be one of the best rock climbers in the world. The New York City-based high schooler is a climbing prodigy. She started playing around on Rat Rock in Central Park when she was seven, and was climbing routes many adults can't finish by the time she was eight. Now, at 14, she's the only woman, and the youngest person of any gender, to climb a rock wall with a difficulty grade of 9a+ (5.15a), which is the third most difficult grade in existence.
VICE Sports recently released a short video profile on Shiraishi, following her around for a climbing session at her local gym. In the clip, the rock climbing phenom discusses her many climbing goals, effortlessly completes the toughest routes in the gym, and talks about how women will one day take over the sport of rock climbing. Check it out above.
Banner Image Credit: VICE Sports, YouTube