Interview

  • Climbing

    When and how did you get into climbing and what kept you interested / fascinated in the sport?

    I’ve been climbing since 2017. My physiotherapist, who has been with me since I was a small child, knew about my ambitions to get up and than got me climbing.

    I kept interested in the sport because the height made me feel free. Moreover, climbing gave me the opportunity to move despite my disability.

    Who was your childhood hero and do you consider yourself a role model now? Does it influence you at all that other people look up to you?

    My childhood hero was “Wickie und die starken Männer” because he reminds me of myself. He was always couragerous and kept fighting eventhough he went through hard times. That’s exactly what my life reflects. For this reason I consider myself a role model.

    That other people look up to me, motivates me even more, because I want to show the world that everyone can achieve their dreams.

    What were the most important milestones in your life so far, both in climbing and in everyday life? Did you immediately recognize them as such or only later on?

    The most important milestone in my life so far was learning how to walk with ten years. This opened up many new possibilities for me, for example climbing. I recognized it as such immediately because it was my biggest dream.

    What were your greatest failures / setbacks / injuries? How did you cope with them and how did you come back from them?

    My greatest setback was a knee surgery in 2015. This meant I could no longer walk and was in extreme pain, which is why I lost my will to live at times. Through intensive physio and equipment training over several months I was able to continue and my will to achieve things came back.

    What is our favorite climbing related story/ experience?

    My favourite climbing related experiences are the moments with the other Paraclimbers who support each other. I like to see how they are all positive despite their limitations.

    A very special moment was when I made it to the finals at the world cup in Innsbruck, which I didn’t realise straight away. But my team realised it from the scoreboard and greeted me with cheers. The final itself was also a great experience I enjoyed standing in front of so many people and climbing to the sound of loud clapping.

  • Training

    Do you have a strict training schedule for when and how you train throughout the year?

    Yes:

    • Once a week equipment training and physiotherapy in the gym
    • Daily workouts and treadmill training
    • Two or three times a week training in the climbing gym
    • Training camp with the paraclimbing team Germany every 3 months

    What advice can you give to somebody looking to improve their training routine?

    Daily training is important to improve and you should never lose the fun. Nevertheless, you should pay attention to your own body and listen to it when it needs a break to prevent injuries.

    What do you think of indoor climbing gyms in relation to climbing on actual rock?

    I really like both and I think they are very different from each other. I train a lot more in indoor climbing gyms because the competitions are also held indoors.

    Are you able to do a one-arm pull-up? How about a single finger?

    I’m able to do a one-arm pull-up, but not a single-finger pull up.

    How much of the success as a pro climber is due to show and how much due to actual climbing skill?

    Paraclimbing is all about points, skill and overcoming physical limitations. Success ist not achieved through show.

  • Climbing Psychology

    Is it possible for anybody to eventually perform a one-armed pull-up or get to the top of the Eiger/Matterhorn, or do you really have to be born for it?

    I don’t think anyone is born with such abilities. But to achieve these goals you should be born with ambition, because a lot of training is important. Otherwise it isn’t possible.

    How important is it to set goals in professional sports? What are your goals / targets you are working towards in climbing and in life?

    In my opinion it is very important to set goals in professional sports, because the goals help you to get better and better. My goals in sport are to achieve the best possible placings and to be nominated for the world championships.

    With regard to my life, I always want to be content and happy.

    How to you deal with extremely hard climbing problems? Do you ever get frustrated and give up on them or do they motivate you even more?

    At first, of course, problems are frustrating, but I learn from them and in the end I am much more motivated. I never give up of them and I learn to deal with them through advices of the trainers.

  • Future of rock climbing

    Is there anything you would like to change about the current developments in climbing?

    My wish is for paraclimbers and normal climbers to have the equal rights. Moreover, I hope paraclimbing gets more attention in general.

    Where do you see the sport going in the next years, what will change and what is your role going to be in it?

    I think the sport of climbing will get more and more attention and hopefully continue to develop positively. I want to continue to represent the sport and tell others about it.