World champion Jakob Schubert triumphantly pumped his fist as he descended to the cheers of his home crowd in Innsbruck. Known as Austria’s top World Cup lead-climbing athlete, Schubert lived up to expectations by winning his favorite event on Sunday.
While Schubert impressed in the men’s competition, Janja Garnbret further solidified her reputation as the leading star of women’s sport climbing. Following her boulder triumph on Thursday, Garnbret added a victory in the lead event to her list of accomplishments.
Competing in reverse order after finishing on top in the semi-finals, Schubert aimed to surpass German climber Alexander Megos’ strong performance of 42+. As five climbers attempted the wall following Megos, the anticipation grew. However, Megos maintained his lead until Schubert took the stage.
Schubert faced challenges on the route but managed to outperform Megos, securing a second-place finish for him and claiming the gold medal with a score of 45. Reflecting on his victory, Schubert acknowledged the critical role of the supportive crowd in his success.
According to Schubert, the route he conquered was notably challenging, requiring immense effort to reach the top. He expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of the audience, whose energy propelled him to victory. For Schubert, the deafening cheers upon reaching a crucial hold signified his impending triumph.