29/09/2026
South African Climbing: Statement on the 2026 SA Climbing National Championships (Boulder) held During the Senior Female qualification round on 26 September 2026, an athlete was observed wearing a wrist-worn electronic fitness tracker (a WHOOP 4.0) inside the isolation zone and on the field of play. The device is Bluetooth-enabled and records physiological data. The athlete was permitted to complete her qualification round.
After she had completed the round, the Jury President indicated to the athlete and her coach that the infringement would result in her disqualification from the final round of the competition
26-27 September 2026 in Johannesburg
The appeal
A written appeal was lodged on the athlete's behalf by her registered provincial coach at 11:27 on 26 September 2026, in accordance with SA Climbing's Competition Appeals Policy. The appeal accepted that the device fell within the rule and should have been placed in the storage box at isolation check-in, and asked that the discretion in the rule be exercised proportionately by imposing a sanction short of disqualification.
The appeal was heard. Although the Appeals Policy vests the ruling in the Jury President, the appeal was considered by the Jury President together with an appeal panel of SA Climbing committee members
Final decision
At the conclusion of the appeal process, the maximum sanction available under the rules, disqualification, was not applied.
The appeal jury allowed the athlete to compete in the Senior Female boulder final on 27 September 2026. The appeal jury also ruled that the athlete would be ineligible for a podium position in this event. She remains eligible for consideration for international selection under the 2027 Selection Policy. The policy link was included in the competition booklet.
Further steps
SA Climbing remains committed to maintaining a fair, consistent and safe competitive environment for all South African climbers. Competition rules are reviewed after each event to identify improvements for the following season. This process will also take account of the events described above in preparation for events in 2027.
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