Keita Watabe

Keita Watabe (渡部 桂太 Watabe Keita, born August 30, 1993) is a Japanese professional rock climber, specializing in competition bouldering.

Competition climbing

Watabe began climbing on the IFSC Climbing World Cup circuit in 2015.

In 2017, Watabe reached the boulder final at the IFSC World Cup in Meiringen, winning a bronze medal in his first World Cup final.

At the 2017 IFSC Climbing World Cup in Nanjing, he won his first gold in an IFSC World Cup, followed by a bronze medal at the Hachioji World Cup later in May.

At the 2017 Asian Championships in Tehran, Watabe placed third in the boulder discipline, completing the all-Japanese podium behind compatriots Kokoro Fujii and Yoshiyuki Ogata.

In 2018, Watabe advanced to the final at the 2018 IFSC Climbing World Championships, finishing fourth in the boulder discipline. He won the silver medal at the 2018 Asian Championships held in Kurayoshi later in November.

In 2019, Watabe won the silver medal at the 2019 World Beach Games.

In 2022, he placed second at the Asian Cup in Manila.

Rankings World Cup Discipline 2016 2017 Boulder 2 5 2

Notable ascents Boulder problems The Globalist – Sipoo (FIN) – October 2025 – Fifth ascent. Circus Elephant Syndrome – Sipoo (FIN) – October 2025 – Third ascent.