9-Year-Old Veronica Aimee Chik Sets Climbing Record with 5.14b Send

On July 8, nine-year-old Veronica Aimee Chik made history by becoming the youngest climber ever to send 5.14b (8c), redpointing Fish Eye in Oliana, Spain. She beat the previous record holder, French climber Théo Blass, by a full year.

Fish Eye—a 50-meter overhanging piece bolted by Chris Sharma in 2009—was Chik’s longest climb to date and a true endurance challenge. “Endurance was a critical issue for me,” she explained. “During my trials, my coaches and I realized that I would be exhausted after climbing 35 to 40 meters.”

Chik, an imposing 4’7”, had to create her own beta to accommodate her unique circumstances-- tiny reach and reduced grip strength. With guidance from coaches Toni Arbones and David Gambús, she rehearsed each sequence four or five times per burn to commit it to memory. Over 14 days, she refined her pacing and rest strategy by studying videos of her attempts, eventually completing the climb in 25 minutes—five minutes faster than her coaches predicted. Arbones, watching her send, said she looked like she was “literally walking up the wall," according to Outside.

“The route was very challenging for me, especially since it was 50 meters high. I have never climbed anything higher than 31 meters before, so my endurance was definitely a concern, particularly as a 9-year-old girl. The rope was very heavy as I climbed higher, adding to the difficulty. Fortunately, my climbing coaches did an excellent job in preparing me both physically and mentally. I felt calm and confident throughout the climb and I took breaks along the way to recover. Ultimately, I succeeded in sending the route!”

Chik got her first introduction to climbing thanks to her godfather, who runs six climbing gyms in Hong Kong. “I started to take climbing lessons when I was five-and-a-half years old,” she says. “I love this sport so much, so I’ve stuck with it ever since.”

Although her parents and older brother don’t climb, her dad is learning to belay to support his phenom daughter, and her 3-year-old sister's talent is promising already-- the little one loves lapping the auto-belay at their local gym.

Now, she’s setting her sights even higher—on an 8c+ (5.14c) project and, one day, competing in Boulder and Lead at the Olympics. She’ll be too young for the 2028 Games, but Brisbane 2032 could be her moment.

“I’m ready for the next challenge," she said.