ORIELLE MICHAELIS-THORPE EARNS SECOND SHOT AT WORLD STAGE AFTER NATIONAL TITLE WIN
BY TANGIORA HINAKI
A young First Nations climber has claimed the Australian Youth Lead Climbing Championship title, securing another opportunity to represent Australia on the world stage.
Orielle Michaelis-Thorpe, a Biripi and Dunghutti woman from the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, won the Under-19 division at the 2026 Australian Youth Lead Climbing Championships after topping the final route.
The result marks a major comeback after injury ruled her out of international competition last year.
"I feel really good," she said.
"I'm really relieved that I get another opportunity to compete at the world stage because last year I got an injury right before the comp. So it's definitely good that I get to try again."
Bouldering requires athletes to scale a route on a climbing wall as high as possible, testing strength, technique and problem-solving under pressure.
Michaelis-Thorpe said competitors first complete two qualifying climbs, with the top 10 progressing to the final.
"In the final you don't get to look at the climb and you don't get to watch anyone else do it," she said.
"You get viewing time and then you go back into isolation. Then you come out and climb the climb as best you can."
The championship route stood around 14 to 15 metres high and featured a series of technical moves designed to challenge even the country's best young climbers.
Michaelis-Thorpe said success in the sport requires much more than simply climbing upwards.
"There are definitely some pretty hard moves with bad holds," she said.
Athletes must quickly analyse the route, memorise movements and execute them while managing fatigue and maintaining focus high above the ground.
By topping the final route, Michaelis-Thorpe secured the national title and a place at the next world championships, where she will have another chance to compete against the best young climbers from around the globe.
For Michaelis-Thorpe, the victory is not only a national championship win but also a chance to finish the international journey that injury interrupted last year.
