Japanese rock climbing legend Yuji Hirayama has recently made the first ascent of The Fifth Element at Chichibu in Japan with a proposed grade of F9a.

The route crosses a 15m roof and ends with a tough boulder problem crux.

Yuji has been a consistent performer for many years now with World cup wins way back in the early nineties, El Cap speed records, cutting edge sport on-sights and ascents of difficult cracks. And with this recent ascent it appears that age is no boundary to his performance.

You can read a report about Yuji's ascent (including pictures) and a short interview with the man himself at Planetmountain.com

Read about Yuji's record breaking ascent of The Nose along with partner Hans Florine in this UKC news report.