Sachi Amma climbs 9b with Fight or flight at Oliana

The route in question had been freed in 2011 by America’s Chris Sharma and repeated by Adam Ondra in 2013 and by Jakob Schubert on the last day of 2014. It was with Schubert that the Japanese winner of the Lead World Cup 2013 and 2012 attempted the route last year, exchanging information and discovering the most efficient beta to reach the anchors.

On Facebook Amma now explains he invested a total of 4 trips and more than 30 attempts to get to grips with the line that "makes me bigger as a human." His success comes after four 9a+: Biogragie at Céüse, La Rambla at Siurana, Papichulo and Pachamama at Oliana.

It is worth remembering that a 9b ascent is almost the upper limit of modern sports climbing, with only three climbs having a suggested 9b+ grade: Change at Flatanger in Norway, La Dura Dura just a few meters from Fight or Flight at Oliana and Vasil Vasil at Sloup in the Czech Republic. All three freed by Adam Ondra and so far only La Dura Dura has been repeated and confirmed, by Chris Sharma in March 2013.