Antoine Kauffmann konnte sich die 7. Begehung von „No pain no gain“ im spanischen Rodallar sichern. Für Antoine war es die erste 9a+-Route. Wobei die Bewertung nicht ganz sicher ist. Der Franzose Seb Bouin benötigte nur drei Versuche für eine erfolgreiche Begehung und wertete die Route auf 9a ab.

„« No pain no gain » those words ring in my ears and I can’t stop repeating them, trying to convince myself. I close my eyes and read the route for the 50th time or more. And then I start climbing…

This time it’s different, the routes feels easier, I do the first crux easily, I feel relax and confident. Then comes the last part of the route. I get pumped but there are only 6 more moves, 5, 4 , 3, 2 “I’m gonna fall, no way!” I keep focus, twist my hips, use my kneebar and scream as hell while doing the last move. I’m there resting on a good jug staring at the final section: about 7c route. “You’r going to do it! Keep calm”. No surprise in the end of the route, I clip the anchor, yell, take a deep breath and yell again before being overcome with emotions.

„I needed it more than everything as a way to take my revenge against all my troubles of thoses last years:
Pain in competition were I can’t perform. Pain of 5 tore pulley. Pain to find my way in studies. Pain of feeling alone in my projects.
Today I clip the anchor as I turn a page of my life, reaping the fruits of my commitment:
Gain of finding new sports goals that’s suits me way better. Gain to overcome all my injuries and keep improving. Gain, finding the studies I love. And above all, gain finding super good friends and my wife that support me in every situation.

As I reach the end of my greatest sport achievement, I now feel ready to start a new and more ambitious project. Becoming dad of our little girl coming in November: Camille

Thanks alot for support in this adventure:

@simonlorenzi @sven.lempereur.3 @timmermansloic @nicolas_collin98 @flodelcoigne @thomas_salakenos who I shared all my sensations every day with.
Olivier Rouquette for is inconditionnal support
@dave_graham_ , @alizee_dufraisse , @sergioverdasco and @maragdagabarre , for cheerings and inspiration.
@sebertheclimber for belaying, pictures  and the travel to Spain just for being part of the adventure.
And above all, @climbinforevermade who understand me more than everybody else and who belived in me even when I didn’t.“