Richard Slocock announces retirement
After six remarkable years with the GB Climbing Team, Richard Slocock has announced his retirement from international competition. With an impressive tally of three gold, two silver, and three bronze medals, the 44-year-old’s contributions to the GB Climbing team have been extraordinary.
Starting his international career at 38 years old, the B2 athlete took fourth place at the IFSC Paraclimbing Cup in Briançon in 2018. In the 2019 season, he achieved his first podium finish, taking bronze at the same competition. His World Cup gold medal came in 2022 at the IFSC Paraclimbing Cup in Villars. He also took two gold medals at the Imst Masters competition in 2019 and 2022. Slocock rounded off his international career with a silver medal at the IFSC Paraclimbing World Championships in Bern in 2023.
Reflecting on his career, Slocock said, "I've had an absolute blast, pushing myself harder than I ever thought possible! I met lots of fantastic people and travelled to some amazing places. But as I get older, injuries are taking longer to heal, and I've decided it's time to enjoy climbing socially and focus on the rest of the GB Climbing Team, moving from athlete to coach."
Slocock's transition to coaching marks a new chapter. "I'm sure this will have its own challenges, but it will also be hugely rewarding. I'm looking forward to my first opportunity to coach internationally at the Austrian World Cup in Innsbruck in only three weeks."
Paying tribute to Slocock, GB Climbing Paraclimbing Team Manager Zoe Spriggins said, "Richard's dedication and passion for climbing have been truly inspirational. His achievements have not only elevated the sport but also set a benchmark for future GB Climbing athletes. We are thrilled to have him transition to a coaching role where his experience and insights will continue to benefit the team."
What does B2 mean?
B2 athletes have a visual acuity of 1.5 to 2.6 LogMAR and/or a visual field of less than 10° diameter.
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