Hello! I’m Ashley Yang from SUIS Pudong G2A Iron. I’m 8 years old, and I love rock climbing. Two years ago during the summer holiday, I tried it for the first time—and instantly fell in love with the sport. What started as a fun interest has now become a serious pursuit. Through training and competing, I’ve come to understand the deeper meaning behind this Olympic sport.
Rock climbing is a unique combination of physical and mental challenge. A climber needs more than strength and endurance, they also need problem-solving skills to read a route and plan their every move. Over the past two years, I’ve climbed countless routes, often falling and starting over again and again. But I never gave up. At SUIS Pudong, one of the 8 Core Qualities that inspires me the most is Resilience. I often think of this word to push myself forward, especially during moments of frustration.
In my first year at SUIS Pudong, I’ve grown a lot through our diverse PE curriculum. My strength, stamina, and coordination have all improved, helping me reach the next level in climbing. With the school’s support, I’ve also been able to join many competitions and achieve some results I’m proud of.
In 2024, I earned:
7th Place, U7 Girls Difficulty – National Youth Rock Climbing Open
1st Place, U7 Girls Difficulty – Kailas Youth Climbing Star (North China)
2nd Place, Group C Difficulty – Shanghai Youth Climbing League
7th Place, U7 Girls Difficulty – National Youth Climbing Finals
This year, I’ve made it into the finals twice and placed 9th in the A8 Girls Group at the National Youth Climbing Championship. Every competition is a new challenge—but also a great chance to grow. I still clearly remember how all my teachers cheered for me before each event. Their encouragement gave me the confidence and courage to step onto each stage.
Thanks to climbing, I’ve visited many cities and provinces across China. I’ve also made friends from all over the country who love climbing just as much as I do. We share tips, encourage each other, and grow together. One day, I hope to stand on even bigger stages—and explore more beautiful places along the way.
There’s a book I really love called How to Solve a Problem by Ashima Shiraishi, a Japanese-American climbing champion. In it, she describes how every fall is a message, every mistake a clue. Her words inspire me:
“Each fall is a message, a hint, an idea.
A new way to move from over there to over here.”
Besides climbing, I also enjoy solving math problems—especially logical and critical thinking challenges. I actively join school math competitions and love pushing myself in the world of numbers. Earlier this year, I won the AMC 8 Silver Award and the Kangaroo Math National Bronze Award.
At SUIS Pudong, our bilingual math classes are both rich and engaging. They’ve helped spark my interest in mathematics. I also love using IXL after class to explore more topics and practice further. As soon as I heard that there was a new Math Thinking After-School Club this year, I signed up right away to continue exploring math with my classmates.
Whether it’s climbing or math, I’ve realised they are quite similar. Both are about solving problems through calm analysis and brave action. You never climb the same route twice, just like no two math problems are ever exactly alike. In both cases, your past practice becomes your “toolbox” for tackling new challenges.
Interest and curiosity continue to drive me forward—one climb, one problem at a time. I’m also deeply grateful for the support and encouragement I receive from my teachers and school. I hope to keep training hard, climb higher, and represent SUIS Pudong in even more competitions. And now that I’ve officially joined the school’s math team, I can’t wait to go further in both the climbing wall and the world of mathematics.
Let’s keep reaching up—one hold, one idea, one shining moment at a time.
