First emotions after winning Olympic Bronze!

05.08.2021

DESTINATION REDPOINT

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Climbing is Olympic and I'm in the thick of it

It's incredible!! I succeeded in winning a medal at the Olympic Games!

Today we experienced sports history in real time - the first time medals in sport climbing were to be awarded at the Olympic Games.

I set for myself the goal of winning a medal early on. I always articulated this goal, and worked hard and meticulously towards it over the past few years. With this goal in mind, I traveled to Tokyo on the 26th of July and went into qualifications on Tuesday; I achieved two personal bests in the speed competition and won in lead climbing. With this goal in mind, I also went to the Aomi Urban Sports Park today.

Along with Tomoa Narasaki from Japan and Adam Ondra from the Czech Republic, all of the favorites to win were there to fight for the podium. I wanted to show that I am one of the best in the sport.

After an incredibly exhausting day, I have now actually achieved this ambitious goal. I still can't fully process it - so much went against me today.

Jakob Schubert isst traditionelle Japanische Nudeln
Jakob Schubert in der Ubahnstation

The placements in speed were unexpectedly distributed; Bassa Mawem, the French speed climber, didn't start due to injury; Tomoa didn't take first place.

While I was happy with my performance in bouldering, the result didn't reflect that. I'd almost given up hope of a medal.

During lead climbing, my disappointment was already so great that I channeled all that frustration onto the wall. I had to give everything I had, I knew that - but I didn't believe it would be enough, even with a first place finish.

After I topped out, I didn't even know that I had the medal. Only after our national coach Reini Scherer pointed out to me that I was third could I believe it. What a moment - I won't forget anytime soon.

It was a fight till the end, and lead climbing brought me a medal again - it's just amazing. I feel so incredibly fit in this competition. It obviously doesn't matter how I enter the round - it just always works.

The bronze medal means so much, but I have to process it first. It all happened so fast. I've worked so hard for so long. There's a lot of sweat behind this medal. That means everything to me.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Alberto Ginez Lopez and Nathaniel Coleman on their gold and silver medals!

Jakob Schubert isst traditionelle Japanische Nudeln
Jakob Schubert in der Ubahnstation

Photocredit: ÖOC / GEPA