The first official open German Paraclimbing Championship will take place at the DAV Climbing Center in Augsburg on July 5 and 6, 2025 – a milestone for inclusive climbing. The IFSC recently announced that paraclimbing will also be part of the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
The German Championship (DM) in paraclimbing is essentially based on the World Cup format: Depending on the number of participants, athletes compete in separate or combined classes. Although there have already been national competitions in paraclimbing, now first official German championship title This requires at least two German participants per class.
With a view to the 2028 Paralympics and a strong base in grassroots sport, the event marks a new high point in the development of inclusive climbing.
German Alpine Club
How the starting classes work
In order to compare the performance of climbers with disabilities as fairly and objectively as possible, there are different starting classes for men and women depending on the type and degree of disability.
- B – Athletes with visual impairment
- AL – Athletes with leg amputation
- AU – Athletes with arm amputation
- RP – Athletes with neurological impairment
A number following the abbreviation (1-3) also indicates the degree of impairment, with higher numbers indicating lower levels of impairment. All routes are climbed top rope.
New at the DM in augsburgIn addition to the internationally standard paraclimbing classifications, there will also be an open classification. This category is open to groups of people without a valid classification or with the NE or NE-MIC (= not eligible) classification.
The German Championships are a great opportunity to gain competition experience and routine.”
Kevin Bartke, member of the German Paralympics squad
competition mode
There will be six to seven qualifying routes in total. Two of these will be climbed in flash format per class, meaning the participants know the routes in advance. The best of these will advance to the final, which will be onsighted—meaning a collective inspection lasting just six minutes. There, one final route awaits each class.
Scoring is based on height: the highest climber wins. In the event of a tie, secondary criteria will decide.
Preliminary schedule
Friday, July 4 – Athlete classification
Before the competition, the participants are officially classified – this involves determining individual limitations through interviews and motor tests (strength, mobility & coordination).
Saturday, July 5 – Competition day for all classes
- 10:00 a.m.: Start of the qualifying rounds
- 18:00 PM: Final rounds
- afterwards: award ceremony
The event will take place at the DAV Climbing Center in Augsburg. The DAV will also broadcast the event on Live Stream, Admission is free.
A taste of the 2028 Paralympics
At the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles Paraclimbing will be part of the official program for the first time – a historic step for the climbing community worldwide. The men's competitions will be held in the RP1, AU2, B1, and AL2 categories, and the women's competitions will be held in the RP1, AU2, B2, and AL2 categories. Two German athletes, Kevin Bartke (AU2) and Korbinian Frank (RP1), are already part of the extended Paralympics squad.
The DAV looks forward to the Paralympics with excitement and optimism, says DAV national coach for paraclimbing Christoph Reichert: "We have many athletes with good potential who definitely have the opportunity to qualify and then maybe even climb onto the podium."
The DAV is looking forward to the Paralympics with excitement and optimism.
National Paraclimbing Coach Cristoph Reichert
The Games will also give the overall development of the sport a further boost, Reichert said. The German Paraclimbing Association (DAV) is currently working on optimizing funding for paraclimbing to accommodate the expected influx of new athletes.
Promote inclusion in grassroots sport
More than 350 German Alpine Club (DAV) sections have inclusive climbing groups for children, young people, and adults. In Bad Aibling, an inclusive climbing hall for barrier-free climbing has opened – the first of its kind.
For almost ten years, the DAV has also been offering a own trainer training for climbing with people with disabilities Over 80 dedicated trainers are currently active throughout Germany.
Inclusive climbing culture is a top priority in the DAV, not only in elite sport but also in everyday life.
German Alpine Club
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Press release: DAV/Julian Rohn
Credits cover photo: DAV/Jakob Mehltretter