Shiraishi flashes Omaha Beach 5.14a/8b+

 

She’s only 11 years old and has already become one of the most successful female athletes. For the first time we heard about her two years ago when at the age of eight she sent her first 7C+ boulder Power of Silence in Hueco Tanks. It didn’t take long for Ashima to raise the bar even higher as a year later she already had some 8A and 8A+ problems on her list. The breakthrough took place in this year’s March when Ashima made her record ascent of an 8B boulder, The Crown of Aragon set by Fred Nicole at the end of 2011. Back then, she was only the fourth female boulderer who managed to send an 8B boulder. Today, she can boast of two more - Steady Plums direct and Fragile Steps. Meanwhile she also flashed Black Demon and Hatchling, both 8A. And if it wasn’t already impressing enough, young and ambitious Ashima decided to do some sport rock climbing. And after such an introduction it is easy to predict the results.
 

Ashima on Steady Plums direct (photo: Chasing Winter)

Shiraishi has recently visited Red River Gorge and hit on some true classics of the area. She began with a redpoint ascent of God’s Own Stone 8b+ - the route that was actually besieged during this year’s Spring. Among others, it was sent by Ashima’s peer Brookie Raboutou, Cameron Hörst and Drew Ruana. The following day, Ashima succeeded in flash attempt of Omaha Beach, famous for Sasha DiGiulian’s last year's onsight. Two days ago she also added another 8b route to her impressive tick list – Ultra Perm. And what is even more important, rumour has it that she has already had some very promising attempts on Southern Smoke 8c+.

Ashima on God's Own Stone
(photo: Audrey Sniezek/audreysniezek.wordpress.com/)

No matter whether she clips her rope into the anchor or not, it seems like she is the one who will be making the history of female sport climbing.
 

Sources: 8a.nu, dpmclimbing.com