19-Year-Old Climber Wins Gold For Team GB
In a stunning upset at the Paris Olympics, Great Britain's Toby Roberts clinched the gold medal in the men's boulder and lead climbing event, marking a historic first for Team GB in the sport. The 19-year-old from Surrey overcame Japan's Sorato Anraku, the clear favourite, who settled for silver after a dramatic final round at the Le Bourget Climbing Venue.
Roberts, who had placed third after the boulder section, seemed content with a potential silver medal. However, the competition took a surprising turn when Anraku, needing 86 points on the lead wall to secure gold, slipped and fell short of the crucial hold. This unexpected slip handed Roberts the victory with a combined total of 155.2 points, leaving Anraku with 145.4 points and Austria’s Jakob Schubert with 139.6 points for bronze.
Roberts was visibly shocked by his win, raising his hands to his head in disbelief. "To be honest, I literally have no words. I don't think this is ever going to sink in," he said. "To find out that I got the gold in that moment was just truly incredible."
This victory is particularly significant for Roberts, who began climbing at the age of eight and trained on a DIY wall his father built in their garden. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, he continued to hone his skills, eventually training in Austria to access better facilities. His dedication paid off as he won his first World Cup medal in 2022 and golds in both boulder and lead events last year.
Roberts' triumph also adds to Great Britain's growing medal tally, making climbing the 44th different sport in which the nation has won an Olympic medal. Reflecting on his journey, Roberts said, "I've been training for this moment my whole life. To say it hasn't sunk in is an understatement. I imagine later it will be a flood of emotions."
Anraku, despite his early dominance in the boulder section, expressed disappointment with his performance in the latter stages. "I had a mediocre performance in both boulder and lead, so I'm quite disappointed," he admitted. The 17-year-old had wowed the crowd with a perfect score on his first boulder problem but faltered in the final two, leaving the door open for Roberts.
Veteran climber Jakob Schubert, who took bronze, proved that experience still counts, as he topped the lead wall along with the Czech Republic's Adam Ondra, earning a standing ovation from the crowd. At 33, Schubert is the oldest of the eight finalists and remains a formidable competitor.
Roberts' father, Tristian, who played a crucial role in his son's development, expressed pride in his son's achievement. "We never talked about medals, just what can he do and the path to get there," he said. "Everyone can have a good plan, but to implement it like he has and show up every day to make it happen, that is what he has done."
As Roberts basked in his unexpected victory, the young climber looked ahead, acknowledging that his win was just the beginning. "He's incredibly strong," he said of Schubert, his climbing hero. "I have no doubts we'll be seeing him in LA," referring to the next Olympic Games in 2028.
