Two weeks before the World Cup, Janja Garnbret climbs an inclined wall. This requires balance and sensitivity. She has to step onto a very small foothold with her left foot, shift her weight onto it. She feels no pain in her big toe. In that moment, she says, she knew she was ready. The injury she sustained is behind her.
At the World Championships in Bern, she showed just how much she is the “real Janja”, as she calls this version of herself. From the bouldering semi-final she managed all routes on the first try, gold. She won the silver medal in the lead. This is something special. Usually it’s like this: If Garnbret, 24 years old, Slovenian, takes part, she wins. Friday evening, big final in the combination of bouldering and lead, the first three qualify directly for the Olympic Games in Paris. The spotlights illuminate the bouldering wall. When the name “Janja” is mentioned, the audience cheers.
