AKG Lodz, Poland, 22-23.XI.2003
BoulderMonsters 2 gathered 131 competitors.  This was probably the biggest ever competition held in Poland.  Most of the participants were Polish, but we had also guests – a 6 people crew from Latvia.

Grzegorz Karolak on the top (2th boulder)


Saturday was the qualifications day. The format was: 7 problems to do in 1,5 hours time. Due to the number of competitors and limited space, men were started in 4 groups of 30.  To pass all 7 problems various bouldering skills were required. Climbers had to deal with corners, roofs, 50 degree walls, pinches, edges, pockets, slopers, one armed pulls, balance moves, double handed dynos.  Many have done all but B6 – a diagonal roof problem with a dyno from a ‘so so’ sidepull.  Those who stuck it were granted a place in the finals. So at the end of the day we had 5 women and 21 men to compete on Sunday.
Sundays finals were watched by an audience of more than 200 people – a crowd that filled the climbing gym to its absolute limits. The audience cheered and encouraged the climbers, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. DJ Funk and DJ Mono – the musical support – provided us with good vibes straight from the vinyl records. The finals format was 3 problems with 5 minutes to do each one and 5 minute rests between problems. The womens problems appeared to be ‘a bit too powerful’ and shook all of them off.  It was Edyta Ropek who won by getting near the top on B2, ahead of Oliwia Bechyne and Eliza Kubarska. Mens finals gave all the spectators a real thrill. There was some excellent bouldering and many spectacular performances to be watched. In the end Andrzej Mecherzynski took the BolulderMonster title, beating Marcin Wszolek (both finished all 3 problems) only by a number of tries. The third place went to Grzegorz Karolak (2 problems finished).


The view of 3th men's boulder


BoulderMonsters 2003

Women:
1. Edyta Ropek (MKS Tarnovia, Chillaz)
2. Oliwia Bechyne (KS Korona)
3. Eliza Kubarska (AKG Lodz, UKA)


Edyta Ropek - the winner

Men:
1. Andrzej Mecherzynski (UKS Rumia, Reni Sport)
2. Marcin Wszolek (Reni Sport)
3. Grzegorz Karolak (Zanik Team)
4. Grzegorz Grochal (KS Korona)
Mateusz Haladaj (AKG Lodz, ATEST)


Ania Sztompka


BoulderMonsters 2003 was sponsored by:
mBank, www.klubzdobywcow.pl, Rock Empire, ATEST, Giewont

Thanks to all those who came to BoulderMonsters and were a part of this bouldering fiesta. We will return in A.D. 2004 and you should be there too!