Yuji Hirayama

World famous climber Yuji Hirayama began his climbing career in France, and even though he was still in his teens, he was the top Japanese climber and played an active role in European climbing.  It is said that his climbing style is among some of the most beautiful in the world.

In September, 1997 Yuji completed the fastest free climbing ascent of El Capatain in Yosemite National Park, California. Yuji’s enormous achievement was featured on TV and has been recognized worldwide. 

In 1999, Yuji was a runner up in the world championship.  He followed in November of that year when he won first among the world on in Nice, France he carried out an on-site of degree of difficulty 8ｂ+ for a historic best.

Yuji is the first Asian climber to win a world cup in 2000. He also opened Underground (8c+/9a) at the Falesia di Massone, right outside of Arco that same year. He has a first ascent on Flat Moutain (9a+) in Japan and he is the first man to on-sight a 5.14b, White Zombie this year in Baltzola, Spain.  His two starring moments where: “when I climbed El Cap in 1997 (fastest free ascent, on-sight) and when I won the Arco Rock Master -- two of the hardest climbs in my life.” 

Based in Japan, Yuji continues to climb worldwide breaking many world records including his own.  He is often seen on the cover of International climbing magazines and continues to have world-wide popularity.

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