Toby Roberts Takes Gold, Hamish McArthur Finishes Fifth
In a thrilling conclusion to the Men's Sport Climbing finals at Paris 2024, Great Britain's Toby Roberts secured a sensational gold medal while Hamish McArthur takes an emotional fifth.
BRITAIN'S FIRST GOLD IN SPORT CLIMBING
Toby Roberts claimed Great Britain's 14th gold medal of the Paris Games and made history by becoming the first British climber to stand atop the Olympic podium.
With five of eight athletes taking the top on the first boulder, including both Roberts and McArthur, the round started tight. Favourite Sorato Anraku of Japan was the only one top the second, but Roberts matched that feat on the third. An early slip on the final problem saw 19-year old Roberts lay down 63.1 points for third place.
A cautious but deliberate start to the Lead route saw Roberts fight hard through the campus section. Climbing past others’ best efforts, he worked himself into a guaranteed silver medal position with only Anraku to climb, eventually coming off the head wall with 92.1 points.
17-year old Anraku needed 86 from the Lead round to secure the gold. He moved smoothly into a medal position, but leaving the wall at 76.1, Anraku fell short.
Talking with Ginés-López whilst Anraku fell, it took Roberts a moment to realise his achievement. And what an achievement it was. Olympic champion.
A PHENOMENAL FIFTH FROM MCARTHUR
Hamish McArthur, the 22-year-old climber from Yorkshire, delivered an outstanding performance at Le Bourget.
After qualifying in eighth, McArthur was first out on the mats. He comfortably secured fourth and 53.9 points by topping boulder one and securing the high zones on the following three.
His Boulder performance put him in a strong position going into the Lead round. Securing 72.0 points and bringing his combined total to 125.9, he then had an agonising wait whilst seven more climbers took to the wall.
The wait was worth it however as he finished ahead of multiple-World Champion Adam Ondra, Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Alberto Ginés-López, and home-nation favourite Paul Jenft of France in fifth.
Mark Glennie, McArthur’s coach, said: “Today Hamish showed up and delivered a performance on the world’s biggest stage that he should be proud of. His climbing performance showed creativity and a level of class that I hope will inspire the next generation of Olympic Games hopefuls.”
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