29 Jun Interview with Anna Stohr

Anna Stohr, from Austria, is one of the most renown and strongest athletes on the international scene. She just won her 4th Word Cup title, after conducting the season with a iron hand, and – she says – some effort. 
Anna Stohr and Kilian Fischhuber are the perfect match, and they are also proof of the outstanding level of the Austrian Team, which includes climbing "stars" like Angela Eiter or Jakob Schubert.
We have asked her a few questions, unfortunately not in persone, on the occasion of her early victory in the World Cup circuit.
How does this victory feel? You wrote something like: "What happened to all the other girls?" Did it feel like an "easy" win?
It was definitely not easy to win all these comps. I had to fight real hard to win every single one of them and honestly it was everything BUT easy, because all my fellow competitors are very strong too. In my opinion, it is never easy to win.
Where do you search for motivation after winning all that you could win?
I enjoy competing. Meeting the girls and trying hard to climb at your best level is fun for me. Of course when you are successful it is easier to have so much fun.
Why do you like competitions? A lot of climbers say comps go against "the spirit of climbing": what do you think about it?
I think that the atmosphere is cool. You get to meet a lot of talented climbers from around the world and you can learn from their strengths only by watching. Of course competing is not enjoyed by everyone, but I like it a lot and I think it taught me a lot of precious lessons. Like: there is no best climber, there are so many strong ones. One day you win, next day you loose. But you can still celebrate together and have fun.
Climbing did not make it into the Olympics: what do you think? Would it have been a good thing, or not? Why?
It’s hard to say whether it would have been a good thing or not. But now that we did not make it we do not have to think about it anymore. I think it might have changed the sport in good and also bad ways. Now the IFSC can focus on important things again, like organizing good comps. Some rules were mainly made for the IOC,which is bad in my opinion.
Do you think that the IFSC does its best to promote climbing? Where should it improve?
They are trying and I want to thank the IFSC for that. Although if you only take a look at the new website it can be confusing… Also, I am not in the athletes commission therefore I do not know 100% whats going wrong and right.
Is there ever any competition between you and Kilian?
Of course. We only talk about how many comps we have won …..
And do you ever feel pressure because of other people’s expectations?
No. I want to follow my own path, and I have my own expectations.
You’re a professional athlete: can you explain how that works in Austria?
I am an athlete in the austrian army. And I have personal sponsors which I want to thank! Also I am studying a bit at university, so I am not 100% professional I would say…
How long do you plan to go on competing? And what are your plans after that?
I don’t know. As long as I am enjoying it I won’t quit. No fixed timeframe for me, because I like to be spontaneous.