Jakob Schubert on the Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo

Jakob Schubert has set himself the goal of winning a medal at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Said and done. Jakob Schubert won the bronze, behind Alberto Gines Lopez and Nathaniel Coleman. In the following article he reports personally what the medal means to him and how satisfied he is with his performance.

A personal report from Jakob Schubert

It is unbelievable !! I did it and won a medal in the Olympics! Today we experienced sports history live - for the first time, medals in sport climbing were awarded at the Olympic Games. 

I set myself the goal of winning a medal early on, always articulated, and worked extremely hard and meticulously for it over the past few years. With this goal, I traveled to Tokyo on July 26th and qualified on Tuesday. I achieved two personal bests in the speed competition and won the lead.

I wanted to show that I am one of the best in the sport.

Today I came to the Aomi Urban Sports Park with this goal as well. With Tomoa Narasaki from Japan and Adam Ondra from the Czech Republic, all the big favorites were in the fight for the podium. I wanted to show that I am one of the best in the sport.

Jakob Schubert together with his compatriot Jessica Pilz in the Olympic Village in Tokyo. (Picture Olympic Team Austria)
Jakob Schubert together with his compatriot Jessica Pilz in the Olympic Village in Tokyo. (Picture Olympic Team Austria)

After an incredibly exhausting day, I have now really achieved this ambitious goal. I can't even realize it yet, so much went against me today. The speed placements were unexpectedly distributed; Bassa Mawem, the French speed climber was unfortunately not at the start due to an injury, Tomoa did not take first place.

The joy about the Olympic medal is great. (Photo Daniel Gajda / IFSC)
The joy about the Olympic medal is great. (Photo Daniel Gajda / IFSC)

In bouldering, I was happy with the performance, but the result didn't really reflect that. I've almost given up hope of a medal.

When leading the way, the disappointment was so great that I put all the frustration on the wall. I had to get everything out, I was aware of that - but I believed that it would not be enough even with first place. 

I had to get everything out, I was aware of that.

After the top, I didn't even know I had the medal. It was only when national coach Reini Scherer indicated that I was third that I could believe it. What a moment I won't forget anytime soon.

Jakob Schubert in the bouldering final of the Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo. (Image Dimitris Tosidis / IFSC)
Jakob Schubert in the bouldering final of the Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo. (Image Dimitris Tosidis / IFSC)

It was a fight to the end, the lead brought me a medal again - it's just great. I feel so incredibly fit here in this competition that it obviously doesn't matter how I get into the round, it just always works.

This bronze medal has an incredible value, but I have to process it first. Everything happened so fast. I've worked so hard for so long, there's a lot of sweat behind the medal. That means everything to me.

This bronze medal has an incredible value, but I have to process it first.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Alberto Ginez Lopez and Nathaniel Coleman on their gold and silver!

Jakob Schubert congratulates the gold medalist Alberto Gines Lopez from Spain. (Image Dimitris Tosidis / IFSC)
Jakob Schubert congratulates the gold medalist Alberto Gines Lopez from Spain. (Image Dimitris Tosidis / IFSC)

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