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Born:

1999, Sunderland, England

Biggest achievement:

Four-time IFSC Paraclimbing World Champion, B2 category (2018, 2019, 2021, 2023) / Multiple IFSC Paraclimbing World Cup gold medals / First blind woman to represent Britain in a climbing competition

DMM athlete since:

2026

Abbie Robinson is a British paraclimber, coach and advocate from Sunderland, and one of the most decorated paraclimbing athletes in the world. Diagnosed with Stargardt Macular Dystrophy at seventeen, a degenerative condition affecting her central vision, Abbie discovered paraclimbing through a friend and was invited to join the GB Paraclimbing Team almost immediately after turning up to her first national competition to see what it was about. What followed has been remarkable. Since her international debut in 2018, winning gold at her first World Cup in Briançon, she has gone on to win four IFSC Paraclimbing World Championship titles in the B2 visual impairment category, becoming one of the most dominant athletes in the history of the discipline. Now head coach at a climbing centre in Swindon alongside her competition career, Abbie is a passionate advocate for paraclimbing's inclusion in the Paralympics, and for making climbing accessible to everyone regardless of ability. Powerful, fast and instinctive on the wall, she is equally driven by the community and adventure that climbing brings beyond the competition circuit.

"Don't just work your weaknesses. Lean into your strengths and turn them into your superstrength."

Get to know Abbie

When did you start climbing?

I first went climbing aged 12 whilst away with Scouts. I got totally obsessed with getting all the way around a greasy little man-made boulder in the campsite. After three days I sent the proj and decided to pursue a career of plastic pulling.

What do you consider your most significant climbing achievement to date?

Probably my fourth World Championship win. I felt physically good, but my mentality around that event was the best it had ever been. I stuck to my process, remained present for the experience and felt relaxed. I had worked a lot on that.

What is the primary objective remaining on your bucket list?

A Paralympic medal.

How would you describe your climbing style and your anti-style?

My style is quite powerful and bouldery. I learnt to climb without a guide so I move quite instinctively and am pretty fast for a VI climber. Anti-style is definitely slabs.

How do you manage the mental pressure of a long-term project?

Accepting that I am not always going to be motivated and that I am not going to be on top form for every training session. Riding those waves is part of the process, and adapting with them is key to keeping things sustainable.

What keeps you motivated?

Connecting with people and exploring beautiful places. A day at the crag with friends, away from the competition scene, can be really grounding.

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