The deal will see coverage of the IFSC's events televised on Japan's Sky A network with further platforms due to be announced in the future.

"This television contract marks a significant step forward for IFSC," said IFSC President Marco Scolaris.

"It also helps our National Federation, the JMA [Japan Mountaineering Association] now, in Japan, they will gain regular exposure on television for each international event during the IFSC climbing season, being able to celebrate their athletes, bringing them to a larger audience."

Sport climbing is particularly popular in Japan ©Getty Images


The news will come as a welcome relief to the IFSC which missed out on inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games earlier this year.

Tazu Mori, producer at Synca Creation, believes the deal will help bolster the sport's reputation in the coming years.

"Sport climbing is a booming sport in Japan," Mori explained.

"With the success of our Japanese climbers and Japan's strong outdoor clothing and equipment market, we expect to help grow the sport exponentially in the coming years."

This new deal follows the IFSC's four-year agreement with marketing agency Broadreach Media to assist the governing body in centralising and distributing its television and new media rights outside of Europe.

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