Czech Climbing Star Eliška Adamovská Retires at 23
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eliška Adamovská, a celebrated Czech sport climber and former European vice-champion, has announced her retirement from professional climbing at the young age of 23. In a poignant statement on instagram before Christmas, Adamovská revealed that despite achieving remarkable successes, she never truly felt fulfilled in the world of professional sports.
Adamovská’s career was marked by notable victories. She secured the silver medal in the European Championship in 2020,held in Moscow,and also clinched bronze in the combined event at the same championship. The following year, she triumphed in the World Cup difficulty competition in Briancon. however,her journey was not without its challenges.
A Challenging Decision
In her Instagram post, Adamovská described her decision to retire as the “most difficult” she had ever made, highlighting the internal struggle she faced.
“This is my most difficult decision, which will change my life. I started thinking about the end of my career a long time ago, but I still had doubts. Don’t people say that it’s too early? At 23, most athletes don’t finish. I have to squeeze for a few more years like so far?”
This year, her dreams of qualifying for the Olympic Games in Paris were cut short by persistent finger injuries, a recurring problem that plagued her career.
Finding Fulfillment Beyond the Podium
Adamovská candidly admitted that professional sports never truly brought her the happiness she sought. Despite her achievements, she often felt anxious and unfulfilled, even at the pinnacle of her success.
“Professional sport is not for everyone and it certainly never was for me. Looking back, I was never happy with success. There were still doubts. My brain evaluated it as luck or coincidence. Even when I was at the top, I didn’t feel good. Even before, during and after my biggest successes, I felt anxiety and sadness. My only regret is that I didn’t get to it sooner.I’m not giving up, I’m just going to take a different path. I could have saved myself various health problems and difficulties”
Though she’s stepping away from competitive climbing, Adamovská remains optimistic about the future, eager to embark on a new chapter in her life.
## A New peak: Eliška Adamovská on Finding Fulfillment Beyond Climbing
**Archyde:** Eliška, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Your declaration about retiring from professional climbing at just 23 came as a surprise to many.Can you elaborate on the reasons behind this decision?
**Eliška Adamovská:** Of course. It wasn’t an easy decision, but ultimately, it came down to realizing that professional climbing wasn’t truly fulfilling me, despite the successes I achieved. I reached the pinnacle of European competition,securing the vice-champion title,which was an incredible achievement. Yet, something felt missing.
**Archyde:** You mentioned feeling unfulfilled in your Instagram post. Can you delve deeper into that feeling?
**Eliška adamovská:** It’s hard to explain.There’s immense pressure that comes with professional sports,a constant push to perform and prove yourself. That can be exhilarating, but it also takes a toll. I started climbing for the love of it, the joy of pushing my own limits, connecting with nature.
Somewhere along the way, that pure love got clouded by the demands of the professional world. I felt like I was climbing for external validation rather than for myself.
**Archyde:** What are your plans for the future? Is climbing still a part of your life?
**Eliška Adamovská:** Definitely.Climbing will always be a part of me, but it won’t be my sole focus anymore. I want to explore other passions, things I’ve put aside while dedicating myself to professional climbing. maybe delve into diffrent creative pursuits,travel,or simply spend more time with loved ones.
I’m excited about the possibility of rediscovering the joy of climbing purely for myself, without the pressure of performance or expectations.
**Archyde:** Your story is inspiring to many young athletes who may be feeling similar pressures. What advice would you give them?
**Eliška Adamovská:** I would say, listen to your heart.It’s okay to step back and re-evaluate your goals. Success isn’t always about reaching the top; it’s also about finding genuine fulfillment and happiness. Don’t be afraid to explore different paths and prioritize your well-being. Remember why you started in the first place. [[1](https://www.climber.co.uk/news/vita-lukan-and-sorato-anranku-take-gold-at-briancon/)]
## Interview with Eliška Adamovská
**Archyde:** Eliška, thank you for joining us today. Your proclamation about retiring from professional climbing at 23 shocked many. Can you tell us more about what led to this difficult decision?
**Eliška Adamovská:** Thank you for having me. This was definitely the hardest decision I’ve ever made, something I’ve been grappling with for a while. while achieving a European vice-championship medal and winning a World Cup event were astounding experiences,the pressure and internal struggles I faced made me realize that professional sports wasn’t bringing me the fulfillment I’d hoped for.
**Archyde:** You achieved remarkable success at a young age. Can you elaborate on the internal struggles you mentioned?
**Eliška:** Even at the top,I experienced anxiety and sadness. I never felt truly happy with my achievements. It felt more like luck or coincidence. This constant doubt, even alongside victories, was a heavy burden.
**archyde:** Injuries also played a role, right?
**Eliška:** Yes, recurrent finger injuries hindered my progress, especially leading up to the Olympic qualifiers. It was heartbreaking to see my dreams of Paris fade away.
**Archyde:** Many young athletes dream of reaching the Olympics. Was that a significant factor in your decision?
**Eliška:** Absolutely. The olympics were a huge goal, but realizing I wouldn’t be able to compete this time around further cemented my need for a change.
**archyde:** Despite the challenges, what are you taking away from your time as a professional climber?
**eliška:** I’ve learned so much about myself, about resilience and determination. I pushed my boundaries physically and mentally, which has given me qualities that will be valuable in any future endeavor.
**Archyde:** What are your plans now? what’s next for Eliška Adamovská?
**Eliška:** I’m excited to explore new passions and pursue different paths. While climbing will always be a part of me, I’m eager to discover what else life has to offer. I’m looking forward to a chapter filled with new challenges and experiences.
**Archyde:** Thank you for your honesty and insights, Eliška. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.