“I'm nostalgic, but I’m glad it’s behind me”: Ondra bids farewell to bouldering
Climber Adam Ondra has announced his retirement from bouldering after Mejdi Schalck’s bouldering title win for France. Ondra has decided to focus solely on lead climbing. The Czech national team member did not reach the final at the World Cup in Prague, finishing 15th overall.
For Adam Ondra it was not only the bell ringing for the last fourth boulder in Prague, but also for the last World Cup race of his career.
He received a standing ovation from the audience even though he did not climb the last route, failed to advance to the final, and took 15th place overall in Prague. Ondra now wants to focus on lead climbing instead, he told Czech Radio:
"In my mind, I'm definitely not quitting. It was already clear to me after the Olympics that I would eventually stop competing in bouldering. I still took part last year and again this year in Prague. I'm feeling a bit nostalgic, but at the same time, I'm glad it's behind me."
But Czech fans should not be sad that they won't see Ondra on the domestic scene anymore. The International Climbing Federation has also awarded Prague the World Cup in lead climbing for next year.
"It's great news for me, and I'm really looking forward to the event. Two years ago, the World Cup was held in Prague, and I was a bit disappointed because it was in my weakest discipline, bouldering. Now it's finally going to be on the rope, so I'm really excited about it. I love the idea."
Not only will next year's World Cup be in Prague, but a year later the best climbers will descend on Brno for the World Championships. "In 2027 the World Cup will be in Brno, so the event in Prague in 2026 will be a great dress rehearsal," the Czech climber says.
Ondra would also like to take part in the 2028 Olympic Games, where lead climbing will also be a separate discipline.
