f you’ve ever wondered who Toby Roberts is and how he made history, let’s dive into the exciting journey of this 18-year-old climber from Elstead, Surrey. He’s not your average teenager, as he became the first British male climber to qualify for the Olympics. Don’t worry; we’ll explain it all in a way even a 13-year-old can understand.
Toby’s Climb to Fame:
Toby’s climbing adventure began at an early age. At just three years old, he amazed everyone on a family outing with his climbing skills. His official climbing journey started four years later when he joined a climbing club after an introductory session at school. From that point on, he was on a mission to get better at climbing, whether it was indoors or outdoors.
He’s a climbing prodigy. At only 10 years old, Toby achieved something remarkable by becoming the youngest Brit to conquer the challenging 8a Raindogs route at Malham Cove. His passion for climbing and pushing his physical limits has been his driving force.
Toby’s dad, Tristan, serves as his coach, and their journey to the top has been a learning experience for both father and son.
Toby says, “I just love the uniqueness of climbing. Each competition is like a new adventure, and that’s what keeps me going. What really drives me is the act of trying hard and doing incredible things.”
Making History:
Imagine being the last climber of the day. The pressure, the waiting, not knowing how your competitors performed. For Toby, it’s an opportunity for a fairy-tale ending. He achieved his first-ever lead World Cup title at the Chamonix World Cup in July 2023 with a daring leap to the top-hold.
Chamonix is one of the highlights of Toby’s climbing career, where he competed against some of the world’s best climbers and secured the gold. His journey to victory continued with a bouldering gold at the Brixen World Cup in Italy. Once again, he was the last climber of the day.
Toby’s Online Presence:
If you’re interested in following Toby’s climbing journey, you can find him on YouTube and Instagram. He’s an F1 fan and an active presence on social media, sharing his experiences in World Cup competitions and even revealing his skincare secrets (spoiler: he uses Elizabeth Arden).
From training videos to breakdowns of his competitions, Toby is an open book when it comes to climbing. He loves interacting with his fans and answering their questions.
Behind the Scenes:
One interesting aspect of climbing is the “isolation” phase. While one climber is on the wall, the others are kept in a room without internet to prevent cheating. Toby’s isolation essentials include food, a foam roller, a deck of cards, and a fan. It’s all about staying focused and prepared.
The Road to Paris 2024:
Sport climbing will be part of the Olympics in Paris, and Toby’s journey to get there has been six years in the making. He’ll be representing Team GB in the Olympics after Shauna Coxsey led the way in Tokyo. For Toby, being at the Olympics and climbing in front of massive crowds is a dream come true.
So, if you’re looking for a climbing inspiration story, Toby Roberts is your guy. Keep an eye on him as he takes on the world’s best climbers at the Olympics in Paris 2024. It’s going to be an adventure you won’t want to miss.