Janja Garnbret

Janja Garnbret is a Slovenian professional sport climber recognized for her achievements in competition climbing, including multiple victories in lead climbing and bouldering events, as well as two Olympic gold medals. Garnbret began climbing at age 7 and entered her first national competition at age 8. She secured her first international title at the World Youth B Championships in lead climbing. After turning 16, Garnbret joined the senior category of the IFSC Climbing World Cup in lead climbing. At 17, she topped the International Federation of Sport Climbing World Cup overall standings in the Lead discipline, securing four wins in the series that season.

Garnbret has set numerous records in sport climbing. In one season, she solved 74 out of 78 bouldering problems and won every event in the Bouldering World Cup, placing first in all qualifications, semifinals, and finals—a feat unprecedented in competition climbing. That year, she also won three out of four disciplines at the IFSC Climbing World Championships, earning gold in lead, bouldering, and combined. At the European Championships in Munich, Garnbret won gold in lead, bouldering, and combined, completing the achievement of winning every major title in sport climbing. Garnbret holds the record for the most IFSC gold medals of any competitive climber.

Garnbret became the first female Olympic gold medalist in climbing and has successfully defended her title. With two gold medals, she is the most successful Slovenian athlete at the Summer Olympics. Her Olympic journey is featured in the film "The Wall: Climb for Gold," which documents the experiences of Garnbret and fellow climbers Shauna Coxsey, Miho Nonaka, and Brooke Raboutou. The film explores the mental challenges faced by Garnbret, including a series of falls that prevented her from reaching the finals of a major competition, and her subsequent return to Olympic success.

In addition to her competition achievements, Garnbret is the first female climber to onsight an 8c (5.14b) graded sport climbing route. She also became the first woman to climb "Bibliographie" (9b+) in Céüse, France, and is only the second woman to achieve a confirmed ascent of a 9b+ sport climb. Garnbret has claimed multiple Lead world titles and Bouldering crowns, accumulating numerous IFSC Sport Climbing World Championships career titles. Outside of competition, she has collaborated on the children's book "Janja and the Magic Flower." Garnbret also serves as an ambassador for Slovenian tourism, promoting the country's sustainable development and international visibility through her achievements in sport climbing.

The Slovenian Sports Journalists Association named Garnbret Athlete of the Year, and she received the Bloudk Award for Outstanding International Achievement. Garnbret's career is marked by historic firsts, consistent performance, and a significant impact on the sport climbing community and beyond.