Talented climber Ashima Shiraishi shares insights on competition climbing, pre-climbing routines, and the intense pressure faced at World Cup competitions. She also discusses her journey in climbing, community support, college life, environmental initiatives, and navigating self-worth in the sport.
Ashima shows the importance of meticulous mental preparation before competitions.
Ashima's transition away from competitive climbing signifies a pursuit of creative expression and personal identity.
Deep dives
Ashima Shirashi's Path Through Competition Climbing
Ashima Shirashi emerged as a climbing prodigy at a young age, excelling in bouldering and competitions. Transitioning from youth competitions to facing the pressure of World Cup events, Ashima's journey showcased her dominance in the sport. Despite the intense pressure and expectations, she maintained her focus and excelled on the climbing scene, establishing herself as a rising star in the climbing world.
Ashima Shirashi's Competition Rituals and Mentoring
Before competitions, Ashima follows a meticulous routine involving intense mental and physical preparation, accompanied by her father's mentoring on maintaining a calm yet determined mindset. Her warm-up rituals, personalized music choices, and mental focus reflect the dedication and discipline required for competitive climbing. She derives strength from her father's quote, emphasizing the balance between composure and determination during challenging climbs.
Although Ashima Shirashi garnered fame through competitive climbing, she transitioned away from the competitive circuit to pursue creative projects and a deeper connection to climbing. Embracing climbing as an art form and a personal expression, Ashima explores ecological narratives through her projects, aiming to broaden the storytelling aspects of climbing films. Her shift signifies a journey towards reclaiming her climbing identity on her terms, emphasizing self-expression and collaborative exploration in the climbing community.
What’s Ashima Shiraishi been up to? Since she was eight, Ashima made waves with staggering ascents beyond her years. In 2021, Ashima helped bring us into the mind of a competitor walking us through in meticulous detail of what it’s like to compete in a World Cup. Today, we reshare that short segment and then find out about Ashima’s new path through climbing far from the spotlight of the competitive circuit.