Jakob Schubert is a great medal hope. © ANSA / MARTIN DIVISEK

A Tyrolean is set to end Austria’s medal drought

Austria has only won one medal so far at the Olympic Games in Paris. Michaela Polleres won that in judo. One athlete who is expected to improve on that tally is sport climber Jakob Schubert, who took part in the event on Monday.

August 05, 2024

From: apa

The Tyrolean entered the Olympic competition in Paris with a good performance. In the bouldering semifinals on Monday, Schubert finished sixth with 44,7 points. The best was the Japanese top favorite Sorato Anraku with 69,00 points. The top eight after the lead climbing semifinals (10.00:10.15 a.m.) will reach the final in the combination competition scheduled for Friday (XNUMX:XNUMX a.m.). Schubert has a good chance of qualifying for the final.

Lead climbing is his specialty and he usually makes up ground there. "It's looking good, it's a great starting position," said the six-time world champion. "Lead climbing is my discipline and to be in the top eight now is a good fit." Due to the difficult course construction, the field of 20 is quite close together, so he has to show what he's got in lead climbing. "I don't have a huge lead." However, the gap is also limited: "20 points behind is easy to make up in lead climbing."

Routes too difficult?

Schubert was one of the last competitors to take part in the Le Bourget climbing center and when he reached the top of the first boulder he quickly sparked a storm of cheers in the packed stands. "That was amazing. Starting the round like that is mega important." Shielded from the action, he didn't notice what had happened in the previous hour and a half. But the 33-year-old knew that it was a difficult round. "Every point and every top counts. Getting the top straight away gives you such a boost for the round."

The big favorite: Sorato Anraku © APA/afp / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND

Basically, he was able to do well on the first two, tougher boulders. He was also close to the top on the second one, but at least he was in the second zone. He only made it to zone one on boulders three and four. "I didn't do so well there." That's why it wasn't a spectacular round for him overall, but it was a good round compared to the others. "That's important when it comes to getting into the final." The warm temperatures were a problem: "When the round is so difficult, it really drains energy."

Anraku managed two tops, one each from Schubert: Tomoa Narasaki (Japan), Toby Roberts (Great Britain), Sam Avezou (Fra) and Adam Ondra (Czech Republic). Only seven tops is far too few, said Schubert, the route setter had made a slight mistake. "It was a bit too difficult. The aim is to solve each boulder at least once." That was not the case with the third. Schubert will enjoy his free Tuesday and recover. He is confident and in good shape. "But if I want to win gold, I have to perform better on the other two boulders." Filip Schenk, South Tyrol's best sport climber, is not competing in Paris.