THE BOULDERING COMPETITION
In the ancient streets of Paris, under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, stood a massive structure of multicoloured boulder problems that, composing a painting of sculptural beauty, turned the blue Parisian sky into a simple flat background.
The best climbers in the world had gathered for the Boulder World Cup, and among them was Jan, a nineteen-year-old fighter. His heart was pounding in his chest and his mouth was dry; he preferred not to speak, knowing that everything would be decided in an instant. All his effort, days of training, personal hopes, and the expectations of his parents and coach would materialise in one concrete second that would define everything.
The morning had arrived with a soft mist that caressed the stones of the Seine, as Jan sat in a quiet corner, surrounded by the murmur of other competitors and the noise of preparations. He remembered the words of his coach, who always told him: “Goals are not conquered with the strength of muscles, but with the strength of determination.” He felt his hands sweaty, a constant reminder of his fears. Fears that had been rooted in him since the first time he competed, when he was just a child and felt for the first time the sensation of being suspended between glory and oblivion.
But he also remembered the first time he topped, the sensation of power, of personal victory. That moment of pure enjoyment motivate him to keep going, despite the falls and failures. The fears mixed with the motivation, creating an emotional cocktail that made him feel alive. —What else was life, if not this? He wondered. He knew he was not alone on this journey; his friends, family, and coach had supported him every step of the way. He felt a deep gratitude for every encouragement received, and for every shared advice.
While waiting for his turn, he closed his eyes and imagined himself climbing, moving with grace and precision, feeling each hold mastered between his fingers. Visualization was a technique he had learned to combat anxiety, to transform nerves into positive energy. He saw himself overcoming each zone, reaching the top, and felt a very deep, almost hypnotic calm.
The moment arrived, his name was called. Jan stood up and walked towards the structure of blocks with renewed determination. Every movement was a dance, an act of faith in himself. He didn’t even feel the eyes of the public on him, focused only on the present, on the colours in front of him. The shapes and positions of the blocks dictated his decisions, creating an improvised dance of gestures that allowed him to continue his ascent.
In a moment of uncertainty, he felt a doubt that threatened to make him fall, but he remembered the words of his coach and felt the presence of his family and friends cheering him from a distance. He took a deep breath and launched himself into the next challenge.
He saw the faces of the other competitors, the eyes of his parents, the corners of his coach’s lips, the gestures of competitors and friends.
Everything had been decided in an instant. Paris, with its ancient streets and majestic architecture, would forever be the place where he discovered the true strength of his determination.
