Toby Roberts has described his Olympic gold medal win in the men’s boulder and lead event as “the happiest moment of my life” as he won Great Britain’s 14th gold medal in Paris.
The 19-year-old’s former climbing club said they are “so proud” of his achievement, remembering him as “leaps and bounds” ahead of other youngsters at the club.
The teenager is one of a number of Britons to claim medals on Friday, including Elinor Barker and Neah Evans who won silver in the women’s Madison and a quartet of runners – Dina Asher-Smith, Imani Lansiquot, Amy Hunt and Daryll Neita – who secured the women’s 4×100 metres silver.
Roberts told the PA news agency the victory “definitely hasn’t sunk in” yet.
“To work for a goal for so many years, like 10 plus years, and for it to finally, to finally achieve your dreams down on that podium – it’s just a moment which I’ll never forget,” he added.
“And, yeah, it’s the happiest moment of my life.”
Katarina Johnson-Thompson also claimed her first Olympic medal with a silver in the heptathlon, where she clocked a personal best in the 800 metres.
The president of her club, Liverpool Harriers, told the PA news agency it was “wonderful” to see her finally secure a medal at her fourth Olympics.
Stephen Carroll, who briefly helped coach the athlete when she was around 12 years old, said: “We’re so pleased. Everyone at the club, the youngsters, family and friends – and obviously the team behind that have been working so hard.
“And I’ve known her since she was 10 years of age and how she’s worked so hard to come through.”
“It’s been a long journey and it’s well deserved,” he added.
Mr Carroll said the 31-year-old is an inspiration to younger members of the club who “all seem to mob” her during training sessions.
He added: “She gets involved. She asks them about themselves, what events they are doing and, you know, shows a real interest in the club.”
Roberts also took an interest in his sport at an early age, completing his first recorded climb when he was just three years old and, when aged only 10, became the youngest Briton to scale the 8a Raindogs route at Malham Cove in North Yorkshire.
The Elstead, Surrey, athlete also became the first Briton to win a lead World Cup medal for 28 years at the Ratho World Cup in 2022.
Roberts said his father, Tristian, who is also his coach, “always 100% trusts me”, adding he is “forever grateful” to his parents “to have been there to allow me to achieve my dream”.
Roberts, who spent the pandemic lockdown training on a wall in his back garden, used to climb with Craggy Island Youth Climbing Team, now part of the Spider Climbing Group.
The Blue Spider Climbing team, based in Guildford, said it is “incredible” that the “really talented” climber had won gold.
After securing his gold, Roberts celebrated by finding and hugging his family – including his sisters Katie and Emma, his mother Marina and his father.
He said he “absolutely” wanted to inspire “as many people as possible to go climbing”.
Roberts added: “It’s my life now. It’s brought so much joy to me, and I just want to spread that as much as possible.”
Shauna Coxsey, who became Team GB’s first sport climber ahead of Tokyo, called Roberts an “absolute legend” and told of having tears pouring down her face as she watched him take gold.
Ms Coxsey said: “Toby Roberts, what an absolute legend. His tenacity, grit and determination is second to none.
“I’ve never known anyone fight as hard on a wall as Toby does, and he is such a deserved winner.
“It was such a proud moment for him, for our sport, for our country, and so far beyond. He’s going to inspire so many people. But, you know, he works so hard. I’ve seen it.
“I’ve seen how much effort he puts in. He really deserved to stand on top of that podium today.
“He gave the best performance, the best climber one, and what a moment it was. I had tears… I tell you I had tears in my eyes… I had tears pouring down my face. I am so, so, so happy for him.”
Asked if he would sleep wearing his medal, Roberts said: “Yeah, this isn’t coming off ever.
“I’m going to wear this ’til I die.”
On his future plans, he added: “I’d be really excited to go outdoor climbing and just relax a bit after the games.
“After you train for something for so long, it’s important to let your body relax and recover afterwards.
“And there’ll be more World Cups in the near future, so I’m really excited to compete at them.
“I just love climbing and competing, and that’s what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
