Chris Sharma

Full Name: Chris Omprakash Sharma
Profession: Rock Climber

Nationality:

Biography: Chris Sharma is an American rock climber known as a pioneer of the sport, as well as one of the most commercially successful climbers. He was the first to prove the possibility of being a "professional climber"—where previously this had been an oxymoron.

Sharma started climbing at just 12 years of age and soon exhibited prodigious skill. By the age of 14, he had claimed victory at the 1996 US Open Bouldering Nationals, and shortly thereafter, at 15, he successfully tackled Necessary Evil 5.14c (8c+), then the most difficult sport climb in North America.

His early achievements extended beyond personal feats, as he also secured medals in international contests and played a role in creating important early climbing films, including Rampage in 1999, a film which is said to have begun the American bouldering revolution.

Following his ascent of Realization in 2001, Sharma's climbing pursuits expanded to developing new routes, notably those he characterized as "King Lines." During this time, Sharma not only established but also ascended some of the world's most challenging routes, many of which were located in Spain.

Collaborating with Adam Ondra on the formidable La Dura Dura was a noteworthy highlight, with Ondra taken by many to have inherited the title of world's strongest sport climber. Their joint endeavor was chronicled in films such as Reel Rock 7 (2012) and La Dura Complete (2013).

Sharma's more recent accomplishments included conquering El Bon Combat, which approached the 9b+ (5.15c) grade, and completing Alesha, the maiden 9b (5.15b) deep-water solo route. Demonstrating his sustained prowess, in 2023 he redpointed Sleeping Lion, a 9b+ (5.15c) route.

Sharma had a profound impact on climbing culture. His innate talent and unique approach, combined with his knack for increasing the sport's commercial visibility, earned him recognition. Eschewing gym-based training regimes, Sharma instead embraced climbing itself as his main practice.

Off the rock face, Sharma founded Sender One, a chain of climbing gyms, and experienced a well-known partnership with Daila Ojeda. Later, he married Jimena Alarcón, and the couple has two children. Despite his parent's influence on his understanding of Zen Buddhism, Sharma ultimately moved away from being defined as a "spiritual climber," stressing instead that climbing was his form of meditation.

Born: April 23, 1981
Birthplace: Santa Cruz, California, USA
Age: 43 years old

Generation: Millennial
Chinese Zodiac: Rooster
Star Sign: Taurus