# Leo Cea: Youngest to Climb 9a+ > 13-year-old Leo Cea redpoints 9a+ route in Spain, sparking record debate. - Title: Leo Cea: Youngest to Climb 9a+ · Climbing | Shortify - Summary: 13-year-old Leo Cea redpoints 9a+ route in Spain, sparking record debate. Chilean-German teenager Leo Cea became one of the youngest climbers to reach 9a+… - Keywords: leo cea, no pain no gain, 5.15a, climbing, rodeellar, spain, youngest climber, record, grade, sports, travel, Leo - Source: Climbing — https://climbing.com/news/did-this-13-year-old-just-become-the-youngest-to-climb-9a-we-sort-out-the-records - Author: Maya Silver - Published: 2026-10-07T09:00:50+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: leo cea, no pain no gain, 9a, 5.15a, climbing, rodeellar, spain, youngest climber, record, grade, sports, travel ## Leo Cea's Historic Ascent Chilean-German teenager Leo Cea reached the top of No Pain No Gain route in Rodellar, Spain on September 2, 2026. > No Pain No Gain ## Age and Record Debate Leo, 13 years, 9 months, and 8 days old, claims to be youngest to climb 9a+ but faces competition from other climbers. > I'd prefer to share the record with Ashima Shiraishi and Andrea Chellaris ## Route History No Pain No Gain was first climbed by Spanish climber Dani Fuertes on June 6, 2017, with 10 ascents since then. > ¡de las mejores vías que hice! ## Grade Consensus 80% of climbers grade No Pain No Gain as 9a+, with only two suggesting a downgrade to 9a. > one of the best routes i've ever done ## Competing Claims Italian 12-year-old Andrea Chellaris climbed Pure Dreaming Plus (9a+) in November 2022, making Leo two months older at the time of ascent. > Pure Dreaming Plus ## Leo's Perspective Leo prefers to share the record with Ashima Shiraishi and Andrea Chellaris, who also climbed at age 13. > I'd prefer to share the record with Ashima Shiraishi and Andrea Chellaris ## Training and Progress Leo spent 12 sessions working on No Pain No Gain, with his first attempt in June 2026 and send on September 2. > No Pain No Gain ## Family Support Leo's father René organized logistics, training, and support for the climb, emphasizing emotional encouragement over physical help. > It's about helping create an environment where leo can enjoy himself ## Climbing Background Leo grew up in Chile but moved to Germany at age six months, now living in Erlangen with his family. > I was born in germany in 2012 ## Future Goals Leo aims to qualify for youth World Cups and Olympic Games, with no specific timeline for climbing 9b or 9c. > I want to see lots of places and climbing areas ## Record Context The record for youngest 9a+ climber is disputed due to varying interpretations of grade and age calculations. > Ashima was misinformed about the 9a grade ## Climbing Philosophy Leo emphasizes the importance of climbing as a lifestyle over a sport, with family and community support. > It's something we live together as a family experience ## Physical Challenge Leo described intense physical demands of the route, including arm fatigue and leg exhaustion during the climb. > Your arms get incredibly pumped especially heading into the final part of the main roof ## Family Involvement Leo's younger brother Inti, 10 years old, filmed the climb on a fixed line during the ascent. > Inti, who is 10 years old and a budding climber himself ## Climbing Community The climbing community has a strong consensus on the grade of No Pain No Gain, with 80% aligning with 9a+. > eighty percent of ascensionists align with 9a ## Next Steps Leo plans to continue climbing and competing, with goals to reach higher grades and international competitions. > I want to see lots of places and climbing areas ## Key takeaway Chilean-German teenager Leo Cea became one of the youngest climbers to reach 9a+ grade on No Pain No Gain route in Spain, sharing the record with other young climbers.