Introduction

South African Aniya Holder's journey to the Paris 2024 Olympics is a remarkable one. Having suffered three serious injuries over a period of two years, Holder returned to climbing and struggled to regain her previous form.

Disheartened, Holder's motivation and passion for lead climbing and bouldering dwindled. When a coach persuaded her to switch to Speed climbing at the end of 2022, she enjoyed the progression from being a complete beginner at the discipline to recording faster and faster times.

With just a year of training, she entered her first ever speed competition and won. Two months later, she qualified for the Olympics, having never taken part in an IFSC World Cup. 

Qualification route

IFSC African Continental Championship - 1st place

Holder topped qualification in Pretoria with a time of 11.89s, before winning the final in 11.33s, over two seconds clear of her nearest rival.

Trivia

Holder is based in Port Elizabeth and is a talented artist with a separate Instagram page showcasing her artwork.

UKC prediction

Holder has no experience of international competition outside of the African continent. Paris will be an opportunity to gain experience and enjoy taking part in a historic event. We expect her to finish between 10th-14th place.