Janja Garnbret has dominated the world of sport climbing like no other. The Slovenian athlete is widely regarded as the greatest competition climber of all time. Still in her mid-20s, she has rewritten record books with multiple World Championship titles, World Cup victories, and back-to-back Olympic gold medals. Many climbers first discovered Janja during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where her breathtaking performance showcased climbing to a global audience. In this post, we’ll explore Janja’s biography—from her early start in Slovenia to her unprecedented competitive achievements—and answer popular questions about her height, gear (yes, even her shoes!), when she started climbing, and why she’s so exceptionally good.
Early Life and Climbing Beginnings
Janja Garnbret was born on March 12, 1999, in Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia. Growing up in a small country with a big climbing culture, Janja was an energetic child who discovered climbing young. She started climbing at the age of seven and entered her first competition by age eight. Her parents and coaches quickly noticed her natural talent and passion. In 2013, at just 14, Janja won the European Youth Championship in bouldering, foreshadowing her future success on the world stage. The following year, in 2014, she claimed her first World Youth Championship title in lead climbing, establishing herself as a rising star.
By 2015, at age 16, Janja moved up to senior competitions and held her own against adults. In her debut season on the IFSC World Cup circuit, she finished 7th overall in lead climbing, an impressive result for a newcomer. This “tender age of 16” marked the beginning of a streak of success that hasn’t stopped since. It was clear that Janja was a prodigy in the making, ready to take the climbing world by storm.
Rise to Dominance in Competition Climbing
Janja Garnbret was born on March 12, 1999, in Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia. She began climbing at just 7 years old and entered competitions by age 8. Her talent was evident from the start.
By 2013, she had already made waves by winning the European Youth Championship in bouldering. Her dominance continued with a legendary streak at the IFSC World Youth Championships, where she claimed three consecutive gold medals from 2014 to 2016—in both lead and bouldering disciplines. These back-to-back titles put her on the map as one of the strongest junior competitors the sport had ever seen.
2016-2018: Breaking Records Early. Janja’s true breakout came in 2016. At only 17, she had a season most climbers can only dream of. She won the overall World Cup title in lead climbing and the combined discipline that year, meaning she was the top-ranked climber across multiple events. That same year, she also won the IFSC World Championship (2016) in lead climbing in Paris – the highest title in the sport – making her a world champion while still a teenager. To cap it off, she continued dominating youth competitions, winning World Youth titles in both lead and bouldering in 2016.
Over the next two years, Janja continued to rack up titles. She defended her Lead World Cup season title in 2017 and added another combined season title. In 2018, at the IFSC World Championships in Innsbruck, she won double gold – topping the podium in bouldering and the combined format. She nearly won the lead title as well, taking silver by a narrow margin. By 18 years old, Janja had three World Championship gold medals to her name and was the undisputed queen of competition climbing.
2019: A Historic Season. If the previous years were impressive, 2019 was truly historic for Garnbret. She achieved a feat never done before: Janja won every single Bouldering World Cup event in the 2019 season, sweeping all 6 competitions. This clean sweep highlighted her unparalleled consistency and skill on all styles of boulder problems. At the 2019 World Championships in Hachioji, Japan, she hit another milestone – winning three world titles in one event. Janja took gold in Lead, Bouldering, and Combined at the 2019 Worlds, a phenomenal triple triumph that stunned the climbing community. This officially qualified her for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, and further cemented her status as the top climber in the world.
By the end of 2019, Janja Garnbret had amassed an astounding resume of titles. She had won multiple season-long World Cup titles (overall championships in Lead, Combined, and a Bouldering title in 2019) and a haul of World Championship gold medals. Entering the new decade, all eyes were on Janja as competition climbing prepared for its Olympic debut.
Janja Garnbret’s Major Competition Achievements
To put Janja’s dominance in perspective, here’s a summary of her key achievements on the international stage:
(Above: A selection of Janja’s most notable titles and records. She has won dozens of other medals, but these highlights show why she’s often called the GOAT of competition climbing.)
Olympic Triumphs and Global Recognition
Climbing made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 (held in August 2021 due to delay), and Janja Garnbret did not disappoint. She entered the Games as the heavy favorite, and despite the high pressure, she delivered a commanding performance. Janja won the gold medal in the women’s combined event at Tokyo, becoming the first-ever female Olympic champion in sport climbing. Her victory was dominant – she placed first in both Lead and Bouldering segments of the final, securing gold with a margin that left no doubt. This Olympic success introduced Janja to millions of new fans worldwide and instantly raised her profile beyond the climbing community.
Fast forward to the Paris 2024 Olympics, and Janja once again made history. With sport climbing now split into separate medal events, she focused on the Boulder & Lead combined format. Janja defended her title brilliantly, winning Olympic gold for a second time in Paris. In the final, she topped all but one boulder problem and then climbed high on the lead wall, sealing the victory (despite a brief finger injury scare during the round). This achievement made her a two-time Olympic champion, and in fact the most successful Slovenian athlete at the Olympics ever (no other athlete from Slovenia has won two Summer Olympic golds).
By earning back-to-back Olympic golds, Janja solidified her legend status. She inspired countless viewers during primetime Olympic coverage, and her Olympic glory significantly boosted the popularity of climbing. The image of Janja Garnbret clinging to the wall, calm under pressure, and then grinning in triumph with a gold medal around her neck, is now an iconic moment in sports.
What Makes Janja Garnbret So Good?
Climbing fans and fellow competitors often ask: why is Janja Garnbret so incredibly good? Her dominance comes from a rare combination of talent, hard work, and mental fortitude:
- Early start and solid foundation: Janja began climbing young and developed excellent technique early on. By her teens she had thousands of hours of climbing experience, giving her a huge head start in strength and skills.
- Versatility in all disciplines: Unlike many specialists, Janja excels in both lead climbing (endurance on tall routes) and bouldering (powerful short sequences). She can seamlessly transition between delicate technical climbs and dynamic explosive moves. This all-around prowess is key in competitions that demand varied skills.
- Unmatched competitive mindset: Mentally, Janja is known for her composure and focus. She thrives under pressure. Even when she’s the favorite expected to win, she delivers consistently. Her 2019 perfect bouldering season and clutch Olympic performances are evidence of a champion’s mindset. She has said that believing in yourself and having supportive people around you are crucial – and she clearly embodies that belief on the wall.
- Training and work ethic: Those close to Janja often remark on how hard she trains. She puts in long hours on the wall, systematically working on weaknesses. For example, after identifying any type of move that troubled her in competition, she practices it relentlessly. This dedication means each year she comes back even stronger. Her longtime coach, Roman Krajnik, has helped tailor her training to keep pushing her limits.
- Physical strengths: At 1.64 m (5’5”) tall, Janja is of average height for a female climber, but she maximizes her physique with exceptional power-to-weight ratio. She is incredibly strong for her size, has superb flexibility, and great finger strength. Her footwork and technique are often described as “textbook perfect,” allowing her to conserve energy on tough routes.
Passion and joy: Perhaps most importantly, Janja genuinely loves climbing. Despite all her titles, she often emphasizes that having fun is key to her success. - She enjoys the process of training and problem-solving on routes. This passion means she’s internally motivated – she’s climbing because she loves it, not just to win medals. As Janja herself said: “It’s not enough to have desire for gold medals, you have to love the process that gets you there.”
All these factors combined make Janja a formidable competitor. In short, she has no obvious weakness on the competition wall. It’s the reason commentators often refer to her as a once-in-a-generation talent (or even once-in-a-lifetime).
Beyond Competition: Outdoor Climbing and Influence on the Sport
While best known for competition, Janja Garnbret is also active in outdoor rock climbing and has inspired many beyond the podiums:
Outdoor climbing feats: Despite a busy competition schedule, Janja has ticked off some impressive climbs on real rock. In 2021, she became the first woman in history to onsight 8c (5.14b) – meaning she climbed a very hard route first try with no prior information. The route was “Fish Eye” in Oliana, Spain, and her flawless ascent was big news in the climbing world. She has also redpointed (worked and climbed) routes up to 9a (5.14d) grade outdoors. In bouldering, Janja proved her world-class ability by sending “Bügeleisen” (V14) in 2022, and in May 2024 she accomplished the first female ascent of “Bügeleisen Sit Start” (V15) in Austria. V15 is among the hardest bouldering grades climbed by any woman, underscoring that Janja’s strength isn’t confined to artificial walls.
“Biggest” climbs: In a more unusual project, Janja and her partner climbed Europe’s tallest chimney (360 m high) in Trbovlje, Slovenia in 2020. The two scaled the massive industrial chimney as part of a special event, showing their sense of adventure (and head for heights!) beyond competitions.
Olympic influence and growing the sport: Janja’s Olympic success has had a huge impact on popularizing climbing. After Tokyo 2020, she became a household name in Slovenia and gained many fans internationally. Her social media following ballooned (she has over 600k Instagram followers), and young climbers around the world now look up to her as the face of the sport. She’s used this fame to encourage others—collaborating on a children’s book “Janja and the Magic Flower” about following your dreams, and appearing in the Olympic Channel documentary “The Wall: Climb for Gold” which followed her journey to Tokyo. In 2023, Janja even appeared on the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine, illustrating her crossover appeal beyond just niche sports media.
Sponsorships and role model status: Janja is sponsored by major brands like Adidas (with Five Ten), among others. In fact, she often climbs in Five Ten Hiangle shoes, her signature choice of climbing shoe. She’s proud of her Slovenian roots and is an ambassador for “I Feel Slovenia” tourism as well. Janja’s friendly, humble personality—always quick to credit her team and congratulate competitors—has made her a beloved figure. She’s showing the world that climbers can be strong and gracious, inspiring a new generation to take up climbing.
Recent News and What’s Next
As of 2025, Janja Garnbret continues to build on her legacy. In the 2023 season, she faced a setback with a broken toe injury early in the year, yet she bounced back to win two golds at the World Championships in August 2023. Early 2024 saw her training hard and even doing more outdoor climbing (tackling the Fontainebleau “Big 5” boulders in France during a spring trip, for example). Her efforts culminated in the triumphant defense of her Olympic title in Paris 2024, despite that minor finger injury during the final which she pushed through.
Now 26 years old, Janja is at a stage where many climbers hit their peak performance. Fans are excited to see what she will do next. Will she continue to dominate competitions for years to come, or focus more on outdoor projects? So far, Janja has indicated she still loves competing and hasn’t signaled any retirement plans. With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics on the horizon, it wouldn’t be surprising to see her aim for a third gold medal – a prospect that is both mind-blowing and entirely plausible given her track record. In the meantime, she’s likely to keep pushing boundaries, whether that’s winning more World Cups or climbing even harder grades on rock.
One thing is certain: Janja Garnbret has already achieved legendary status, and anything she does next is adding to a career that has few (if any) equals in climbing history. She remains the climber to watch, and an inspiration to athletes everywhere.
Janja Garnbret FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: How tall is Janja Garnbret?
A: Janja Garnbret is 1.64 meters tall, which is about 5 feet 5 inches. Despite not being very tall, she makes the most of her height with excellent technique and flexibility.
Q: How old is Janja Garnbret?
A: As of 2025, Janja is 26 years old. She was born on March 12, 1999, and began climbing as a child, which means she’s already been climbing for nearly two decades!
Q: What shoes does Janja Garnbret wear?
A: Janja is known to wear Five Ten Hiangle climbing shoes in competitions. Five Ten (an Adidas-owned brand) has been her trusted shoe sponsor for years. These shoes are aggressive bouldering/sport climbing shoes that provide the precision and grip she needs on the wall.
Q: When did Janja Garnbret start climbing?
A: She started climbing very young – at 7 years old. By age 8 she was already competing in youth competitions, and she won her first international youth title at 14. Her early start gave her a strong foundation that helped her become a champion early in her career.
Q: Where is Janja Garnbret from?
A: Janja is from Slovenia, a country in Central Europe. She was born in the town of Slovenj Gradec in northern Slovenia and grew up climbing on the walls of her home country. Slovenia has a very active climbing community and has produced several top climbers (Janja being the most famous).
Q: Is Janja Garnbret going to the Olympics (again)?
A: Janja has already competed in two Olympics – Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 – winning gold at both. She has not announced retirement, so it’s quite possible she will aim to compete at future Olympics (like Los Angeles 2028). Given her competitive drive, fans are hopeful she’ll go for a third Olympic appearance. In short, she went to the Olympics (and conquered them!), and we might see her there again.
Q: Why is Janja Garnbret so good at climbing?
A: Janja’s dominance comes from a mix of talent, hard work, and passion. She started young, trains very hard, and has incredible technique and strength. She’s also mentally very strong under pressure. Essentially, she has no major weaknesses in climbing – she’s equally skilled at bouldering and lead, which is rare. Plus, she genuinely loves the sport, which keeps her motivated. (See the detailed section above on this – “What Makes Janja So Good” – for more insights.)
Q: Does Janja Garnbret climb outside of competitions?
A: Yes, absolutely. While Janja focuses on competitions, she also climbs on real rock. She has achieved milestones like the first female onsight of an 8c (5.14b) route and climbing a V15 boulder problem outdoors. She enjoys outdoor climbing when she can, and these achievements show she’s world-class on rock as well as plastic holds.
Q: Does Janja Garnbret have a boyfriend?
A: Janja was previously in a long-term relationship with fellow Slovenian climber Domen Škofic. The two met as teenagers on the Slovenian youth climbing team and were known for working on projects together, including the iconic climb of Europe’s tallest chimney in Slovenia. While they were often referred to as a “climbing power couple,” Janja has kept her personal life more private in recent years, and there have been no public updates on their relationship since around 2021.
Q: What’s next for Janja Garnbret?
A: Janja is still young and at the top of her game. In the immediate future, she’ll likely continue competing in World Cups and World Championships, and possibly aim for the 2028 Olympics. She may also spend more time on outdoor climbs and personal projects. Given her track record, whatever she chooses to do, she’ll likely keep pushing the boundaries of the sport. Keep an eye on her social media and official announcements for the latest on her upcoming goals.
Janja Garnbret’s journey from a young climbing enthusiast in Slovenia to a global sports icon is nothing short of extraordinary. Whether you’re a new fan who saw her in the Olympics or a long-time climber following her World Cup runs, Janja’s story is inspiring. She has shown that with passion and determination, it’s possible to redefine what’s achievable. And she’s not done yet!