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18-Year-Old Climber Achieves Historic Feat, Securing Spot for Paris Olympics 2024

Published 10/31/2023, 3:22 AM EDT

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An 18-year-old GB climbing athlete won the IFSC European Qualifier event in Laval, France. The athlete’s career was totally guided by his father-coach throughout the games, which helped him become the climbing hero of the youth. He won a number of medals at the IFSC World Cup, and the young climber has made his way through the top chart.

Toby Roberts is a strong performer who came to this height after qualifying in the semi-final round. The climber made his records by dominating with high-ranking scores in both the Boulder and Lead rounds that took place. The performance that he showcased helped him to pen down his name with bright colors in the finals. His interest in climbing began at a very young age when he used to climb indoor walls at a club called Edgeborough after school.

A teen climber paves his way to 2024 Olympics

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Roberts fulfilled the Olympic quota and completed Sport Climbing for the Boulder & Lead event while being at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.  His commendable performance kept on going ahead when he finished the Tokyo 2020 Olympic championship at the Alberto Ginés-López (ESP) and Sam Avezou (FRA). In an interview, the 18-year-old shares his plans to get to the Paris Olympics in 2024 and gives a glimpse of his winning mindset.

During the finals, the young Roberts scored 69.8 points and secured second place in the Boulder round. With 15 points, he was just after Sam Avezou but right before Ginés-López and Ondra. The athlete bagged his victory on the lead route, gaining 60 points. Later, he continued to climb to the top, even after being the last athlete to do so.

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Speaking about the event on the IFSC livestream, Toby said, “I’m truly, truly lost for words. I don’t think this is ever going to sink in. Coming into this competition, I tried to come in with no expectations and just enjoy the climbing, and yeah, I just have no words. It’s not quite gone yet since I just qualified for the Olympics. It’s just such a big dream for me. I’ve been training for so long for this, and it just means so much.”

Roberts slightly missed out on the quota that needed to be fulfilled at the Olympics at the IFSC World Championship that took place in Bern, Switzerland. He finished the game, cementing his status at the fifth position outside the Olympic-qualifying podium arena.

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Roberts’ devotion toward the sport!

Toby Robert is the second British athlete after Shauna Coxsey who has secured their place in the Olympic Games this high. Shauna Coxsey is another British climber who has made a debut in the Tokyo 2020 and clenched 10th position in the game.

Also, read: World Record-Holding Amputee to Climb Colorado Mountain With Just Her Hands for a Friend

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In the interview, Roberts also mentioned how thankful he is to his family, friends, and Tristian, who traveled with him during the period of training and while he was competing. Fans are now sitting with high anticipation to see more of the talented athlete’s skillful techniques making their way through the walls.

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Written by:

Shayni Maitra

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Shayni Maitra is an Olympic Sports writer at EssentiallySports. Currently pursuing her degree in Psychology from a reputed institute, Shayni has been actively involved with entertainment writing for a year. Her role as an Olympic writer combines her admiration for sports, especially Gymnastics.
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Edited by:

Purva Jain