Polish climber, Aleksandra Miroslaw on her journey and Tokyo 2021

Aleksandra Miroslaw is a Speed climber, Double World Champion, European Champion and an Under Armour ambassador. With a ticket to Tokyo 2021, in Climbing’s debut at the Olympics, Aleksandra is determined, focused and eager to get things rolling.

We caught up with her to talk about her journey, climbing in Poland, the Olympics and what inspired her to get into the rapidly growing sport.

Alexandra Miroslaw on a bouldering route
Aleksandra Miroslaw on a bouldering route Source: Supplied

Kinza Tahir: When did you start climbing?

Aleksandra Miroslaw: I started climbing in 2007 at age thirteen with my older sister Gosia.

Did your interest in the sport originate from her career?

For sure! She was kind of a role model for me and I wanted to be just like her. When she was in youth categories she almost always won every Polish Cup or Championships in every discipline.

I was dreaming of winning so many competitions in my career. I’m sure that she had a very big influence on my career.

Aleksandra Miroslaw looks at the wall
Aleksandra Miroslaw at a Climbing competition. Source: Supplied

You initially intended on pursuing swimming but later switched your area to speed climbing? What was the idea behind doing so?

When I went to middle school I didn’t want to swim anymore and my parents suggested that I should find a different passion and because I admired my sister so much I chose climbing.

After a few years, I had chosen speed climbing, because I felt really strong in the discipline.

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Do you agree with the opinion that speed climbing is only recommended for highly skilled and experienced climbers?
What is the reception of speed climbing as a sport in Poland?

Not really. I think that speed climbing is a really fun and interesting discipline for young athletes, especially in the classic format.

In my opinion, the reception of speed climbing and generally sport climbing in Poland is getting better, mostly because of the Olympics and that I have a ticket to Tokyo 2021!

When you defend the World title, it’s much harder because you know that you can do it, that it is possible and you feel the weight of the expectations.

What are some of the highlights of your climbing career?

Winning the World Championships for the first time in 2018 and defending this title one year later and of course, taking a ticket to the Olympics. But what I really think is that every competition before that was kind of preparing me to have these highlights. Without them I never have been in this place where I’m today.

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You say winning the World Champion title is difficult but defence of the title is even more difficult. How so?

It’s hard to describe it, but I mean that it’s much easier to compete as a “black horse” instead of as a leader. When you win the World Championship for the first time you don’t feel all the stress and people’s expectations.

When you defend the World title it’s much harder because you know that you can do it, that it is possible and you feel the weight of the expectations.

Do you feel that you have hd the appropriate training for yourself as a professional climber?

Yes, I think so. If I wouldn’t have adequate training for myself I won’t be a double world champion and Olympian. I believe that an appropriate and individual training program is the most important thing for every professional athlete in each sport.

I’m really happy that generally climbing is at the Olympics. I think that it will have a big influence on promoting climbing as a sport and I truly believe that in Paris 2024 all disciplines will be separate. My fingers are crossed.

I assume your coach, who is now your husband Mateusz Mirosław, had a supportive role in your career? Could you tell us what that was like?

I don’t really like to talk about my private life. Mateusz and I try to not connect those two roles, but obviously, he motivates me to work every day, he is always with me and sometimes he is the only one person who believes in my success.

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Source: Supplied

Of course the truth is that he has is a big influence on me because he is the person who knows me the best in the world, but he is a really good coach as well because its his training programs that have helped me become the double World Champion. And I think that is the most important thing.

Climbing has made its way to the Olympics, what are your feeling about that?

I’m really happy that generally climbing is at the Olympics. I think that it will have a big influence on promoting climbing as a sport and I truly believe that in Paris 2024 all disciplines will be separate. My fingers are crossed.

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Any advice or tips for aspiring speed climbers?

Believe in your success, no matter what. Sometimes it will be hard, but it will be the most valuable lesson for you.

What are your plans for when you are back outdoors and climbing regularly?

I don’t know yet. For now I’m focusing on my competition goals.


Follow Aleksandra Miroslaw on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
For more Climbing content, visit Sportageous.
The curation of the article was supported by Kinza Tahir. You can follow her here on Twitter.

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