Two-time Olympic sport climbing gold medallist Janja Garnbret wowed her home crowd in Slovenia by winning gold in the Lead discipline at the IFSC Koper World Cup on Saturday (6 September).
Garnbret showed her immense class by reaching hold 47+ in the final run, with Seo Chaehyun of the Republic of Korea in second on hold 38+, while Spain’s Laura Rogora claimed the bronze.
It was the 31st Lead triumph of Garnbret’s storied career and she told the IFSC: “I was reminded before the competition that this could be my 31st win, but I honestly wasn’t thinking about it before the final. But now I can think about it and I am really happy about it.
“This year marks the 10th year since I made my debut in Chamonix at a senior World Cup and it’s crazy how far I have come. A 31st win is unbelievable.
“Every year girls are training hard and trying to catch me and I am trying to stay one or two steps ahead of them, but they are very strong and I can feel it – so I need to try hard, which is great.”
In the men’s event, Sorato Anraku of Japan, who claimed the silver medal at Paris 2024, won the gold with a final 48+ hold. Two Olympic gold medallists were in second and third place – Alberto Ginés López of Spain earned the silver on the night, while Great Britain’s Toby Roberts was in bronze.