British climber breaks own record with 19th Everest summit
More than 50 climbers have reached the summit since the spring climbing season began this month, taking advantage of a brief spell of good weather and typically calmer winds.
Mountain guide Cool, 51, first climbed Everest in 2004 and has since had an expedition almost every year taking clients up the world's highest peak.
"Kenton summited Everest for the 19th time at 11am Nepalese time (0515 GMT) on Sunday," a post on his Instagram account said.
His 15th summit in 2021 tied him with American Dave Hahn for the most summits by a non-Nepali climber, and his summit the following year gave him a solo title.
Cool was once told he would not walk unaided again after a rock-climbing accident in 1996 that broke both his heel bones.
He told AFP in a 2022 interview after his 16th ascent that his Everest record was "not that amazing" in the context of Nepali climbers' achievements.
Kenton Cool, 51, first climbed Everest in 2004 and has since had an expedition almost every year taking clients up the world's highest peak. Instagram photo
"I'm really surprised by the interest... considering that so many of the Sherpas have so many more ascents," he said then.
Nepali climber Kami Rita Sherpa, 55, is also attempting to break his own world record for the most Everest summits with his 31st climb.
Cool's latest summit comes after at least two people — a Filipino and an Indian climber — died on Mount Everest this week.
INDIAN, ROMANIAN CLIMBERS DIED ON NEPAL'S MOUNT LHOTSE
Meanwhile, two climbers from Romania and India have died on Nepal's Mount Lhotse, the world's fourth highest peak, officials said Monday, taking the number of fatalities this season to at least nine.
Romania's Barna Zsolt Vago, 48, died on Sunday as he was ascending the 8,516-metre (27,940-foot) mountain, Liladhar Awasthi of Nepal's tourism department told AFP. He was not using supplemental oxygen.
On the same day an Indian climber, Rakesh Kumar, 39, died between Camp 3 and Camp 4 as he was descending after a successful summit.
"Our guides are trying to bring his body back," Prakash Acharya of Makalu Adventure, his expedition organiser, told AFP.
Nepal has issued 458 permits to mountaineers this season and a city of tents hosting foreign climbers and support staff has built up at the foot of Everest.
Most Everest hopefuls are escorted by a Nepali guide, meaning more than 900 climbers will tread the path to the summit this season.
Nepal is home to eight of the world's 10 highest peaks and welcomes hundreds of adventurers each spring.
A climbing boom has made mountaineering a lucrative business since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa made the first ascent in 1953.
Last year more than 800 climbers made it to the peak of Everest, including 74 from the northern Tibet side.
Agence France-Presse
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
8 hours ago
- Al Etihad
UFC mulls regional series for Middle East fighters
27 July 2025 23:33 KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)Reinier de Ridder claimed the biggest victory of his MMA career on Saturday night, outpointing former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the headline bout of UFC Fight Night at the Etihad Arena. The shock result capped an action-packed 12-fight card and ended with renewed optimism about the sport's growth in the Gulf UFC's Senior Vice-President, David Shaw, confirmed post-event that the promotion is actively exploring the idea of launching a regional feeder programme in some shape or name, like a 'Road to UFC (RTU) or a challenger series of some sorts or anything else.' The concept could open new pathways for aspiring fighters from the Middle East and surrounding countries.'A concept like RTU would make a lot of sense, I think,' Shaw said. 'Even this season, it's the first time we've added non-Asian athletes. We had Kiwis and Aussies in the mix, so opening that up to fighters from the Middle East or Gulf countries is very much in the conversation. But no definitive plans yet.'Shaw suggested that such a move would align with the UFC's broader strategy of expanding its global footprint through off-prime events tailored to regional time zones. 'We've talked about our eight off-prime events – six of which are generally aligned with the UK, Europe, and Middle East time zones. There are a lot of great countries that we've been to before and hope to revisit,' he said. Inside the octagon, Dutchman de Ridder proved a dominant force against the heavily favoured Whittaker, controlling the pace to earn a split decision. The result raised questions about Whittaker's future in the division and boosted de Ridder's case for a title run. It was to be the beginning of the end for Whittaker, but the end seemed to have come at the start of the American's one last-ditch comeback mission to reclaim the middleweight division title. Despite his last match ending in defeat – in ugly fashion with three of his teeth taken out – Whittaker was the sentimental favourite purely on his vast it was the fairly raw Ridder who fought smart against Whittaker. Having appeared in five fights in exactly a year, starting from Abu Dhabi this time last year, De Ridder took a heavy beating in the third round, but pinned down Whittaker in the next two rounds into submission while landing small but consistent jabs with more ground control time.'I will be relaxing for a couple weeks and then we'll see [who could be a possible next rival],' said de Ridder. 'But we will see what happens. There's a lot going on in the middleweight division in the next couple of weeks.'De Ridder acknowledged Abu Dhabi's role in clearing him from the legal battle with his former promotion ONE Championship while notching his fourth successive victory in UFC since his debut. 'Habibi. Abu Dhabi. Shukran. I love you guys,' he said immediately after the fight. 'I'm a top-five fighter in the world, I guess. That's crazy. Who can believe it? And in one year! I think I have a good chance fighting for the title someday soon,' he UAE connection had a bitter-sweet evening as Emirati lightweight Mohammad Yahya lost to Stephen Nguyen, the latter notching up a record six knockdowns and earning the Fight of the Night award as a bonus. Still, Shaw acknowledged the need for structured development platforms in the region to take some shape, like the Road to UFC. The UAE, for instance, held a Showdown Week, which included a dual card 61&62 of the UAE Warriors promotion while introducing an inter-continental title between African and Arab fighters. The UAE's Al Ain region is hosting back-to-back the MMA Youth World Championship and the World Grappling Championship. While talks are ongoing, Shaw confirmed that it is part of the agenda for the UFC team behind an ever-evolving schedule. 'It's reasonable to think it's possible,' he said. 'When we are back to the war room every Tuesday, I'm sure Dana [White, president] and the crew will figure it out.'
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
Cricket: Australia beat WIndies by three wickets in fourth T20I match
27 July 2025 09:11 BASSETERRE (AFP)Cameron Green hit an unbeaten 55 and Josh Inglis added 51 to lift Australia to a three wicket win over the West Indies on Saturday in the fourth match of their Twenty20 International Indies were 205 for nine after being sent to bat first after the visitors won the toss, but took five wickets after the midpoint to keep the pressure on Australia chasing 206 to Aussies seized a 4-0 lead in the five-match series and can complete a sweep by winning Monday's finale at Warner struck his half-century off 35 balls with three sixes and three fours while Inglis had one six and 10 fours in 30 balls and Glenn Maxwell had 47 runs off 18 balls, hitting six sixes and a a night after Tim David bashed Australia's fastest T20I century off only 37 balls, he was rested from the Aussie lineup and the chase had some tense Mitchell Marsh was out lbw for a second-ball duck from West Indies left-arm fast-medium pace bowler Jediah entered to partner with Maxwell but flew out to deep backward square, caught by Sherfane Rutherford off a ball from Romario Shepherd to start the seventh over, leaving the Aussies on 66 for visitors reached 129 for two at the drinks break but on the next ball to start the 11th over, Maxwell was caught by Jason Holder at long on from a Akeal Hosein bowled Mitchell Owen for two thanks to Rutherford's deep cover grab and two balls later Blades got his third wicket, sending off Cooper Connolly for a duck on Holder's mid-off catch, the Aussies stuck on 134 for took Aaron Hardie for 23 on a long off catch by Shimron Hetmyer to open the 17th over with the Aussies still 21 runs from victory.A drive by Green deflected off Shepherd's fingers and into the stumps of Xavier Bartlett out of his ground, his seventh wicket gone for nine and the Aussies two runs from however, scored runs off the next two deliveries and Sean Abbott pushed Australia across the line, scoring the final run with four balls to Indies managed only a top score of 31 as Aussie fielders bowled out Brandon King for 18 when he chipped out midwicket to Hardie and removed Shai Hope for 10 after Maxwell made a diving catch made a one-handed grab to retire Roston Chase for nil off a Hardie delivery, leaving West Indies on 42 for three only one ball into the fifth went out for 31 when caught by Marsh at backward point off a nice delivery from Adam Zampa to make it 67 for made a diving catch at deep backward point to retire Hetmyer on struck again for the seventh wicket, flicking the ball before going over the boundary so Green could make the catch and send off Shepherd on then caught Matthew Forde for 15 to put the West Indies on 184 for eight. Rain hit with four balls remaining but after a 55-minute delay, the hosts scored two final runs.
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
UAE gears up for action-packed high-octane cricket razzmatazz
India and Pakistan are set to meet in the marquee 2025 Men's Asia Cup group stage clash on Sept.14. In the detailed fixtures announced by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Saturday, India will also face UAE and Oman on Sept.10 and 19 respectively. In the tournament happening from Sept.9-28, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi as the likely venues, India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman are placed in Group A, while Group B comprises of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. After the group stage clash between India and Pakistan on Sept.14, both the teams might take on each other in the Super Fours and potentially the final to be held on Sept.28. It is understood that India will play all its game at the Dubai International Stadium, though the schedule released by ACC doesn't have any mention of it. 'Hosting the ACC Men's T20 Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE allows fans from across Asia to come together in a setting that mirrors our region's incredible diversity. When crowds gather to witness the tournament's unforgettable clashes, it will be a great reminder of cricket's power to build bridges,' said ACC President Mohsin Naqvi said in an official statement. It's also the first time Asia Cup, to be held in the T20I format keeping in mind the preparation for 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, will have eight teams. Top two teams from each group will proceed to the Super Fours stage, with the top two facing each other in the title clash. While India is the designated host of the Asia Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will stage the tournament in the UAE due to the mutual agreement between them and Pakistan to play at neutral venues in 2027 owing to the geopolitical and diplomatic tensions between the two nations. The tournament was in uncertainty due to India-Pakistan cross-border tensions in May, but an ACC meeting in Dhaka on July 24 cleared the decks for the tournament to happen. A recent spat of a brief war between the countries added fuel to the rivalry. The neighbours have not met on either side's soil in a bilateral series since 2012, and only play each other in international tournaments on neutral grounds as part of a compromise deal. But already-frosty relations took a turn for the worse this year when the two nuclear rivals fought an intense four-day conflict, their worst standoff in decades. More than 70 people were killed in missile, drone and artillery fire on both sides. The conflict was triggered by an April 22 attack on civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir that New Delhi accused Pakistan of backing -- a charge Islamabad denies. India are the defending champions of the Asia Cup, having beaten Sri Lanka in the 2023 final held in the 50-over format in Colombo. Sri Lanka had won the Asia Cup in the T20I version after beating Pakistan in the final in 2022. 'The ACC Men's T20 Asia Cup is the marquee event of Asian cricket, and we are proud to present an expanded platform this year. This year marks yet another milestone in ACC's journey and a noteworthy development for cricket in Asia.' 'With the inclusion of additional teams in the tournament, we are witnessing the game's boundaries expand, both geographically and competitively. This will be Asia Cup at its finest,' added Naqvi. Earlier, Naqvi, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), was appointed as the new President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Naqvi was elected as the new ACC President in an online meeting and took charge immediately. 'I am deeply honoured to assume the presidency of the Asian Cricket Council. Asia remains the heartbeat of world cricket, and I am committed to working with all member boards to accelerate the game's growth and global influence. 'Together, we will unlock new opportunities, foster greater collaboration, and take Asian cricket to unprecedented heights. I also extend my sincere thanks to the outgoing ACC President for his leadership and contributions to the ACC during his tenure,' said Naqvi in a statement. Naqvi, who has been PCB Chairman since February 2024, will serve as the ACC President for two years and succeeds Shammi Silva, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President. 'It has been a privilege to serve as President of the Asian Cricket Council. The steadfast commitment of our member boards working together has been pivotal in elevating ACC's stature across the region. Agencies
