Rock climbing has evolved into one of the most dynamic and diverse sports in the world. From Olympic competitions to remote mountain crags, climbers today are pushing boundaries in sport climbing, bouldering, and big-wall ascents. The current generation blends athleticism, creativity, and mental toughness in ways we’ve never seen before.
This list highlights the ten best rock climbers in the world right now, ranking them based on recent achievements, versatility, and their influence on the sport. Each climber has a unique style, specialty, and history of groundbreaking climbs. We’ll also include a section of honorable mentions to recognize legendary figures who continue to inspire today’s climbers.
1. Adam Ondra
Adam Ondra, born on February 5, 1993, in Brno, Czech Republic, is widely regarded as the strongest and most versatile climber of his generation. He specializes in sport climbing, bouldering, and big-wall routes. Ondra is best known for his first ascent of Silence in Norway in 2017, graded 9c (5.15d), which remains the hardest confirmed sport route in the world. He also made history by being the first climber to flash a 9a+ and redpoint several benchmark 9b and 9b+ climbs, including Change and La Dura Dura. Beyond outdoor ascents, Ondra has multiple World Championship titles and has competed in the Olympics. His ability to excel across disciplines makes him the clear number one.
2. Janja Garnbret
Janja Garnbret, born March 12, 1999, in Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia, is the undisputed queen of competition climbing. She specializes in both lead and bouldering and is considered the most dominant female climber in history. Garnbret is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, winning in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, and an eight-time IFSC World Champion. Outdoors, she has also broken barriers by becoming the first woman to onsight a 9a route and has climbed several hard boulder problems up to 8B+. Garnbret’s consistency, combined with her ability to transition from indoor competitions to challenging outdoor climbs, makes her a true legend in the making.
3. Jakob Schubert
Jakob Schubert, born December 31, 1990, in Innsbruck, Austria, is one of the most well-rounded climbers today. He excels in lead, bouldering, and competition climbing. Schubert is a four-time World Champion in lead climbing and has won three overall World Cup titles. He also claimed an Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Outdoors, Schubert has climbed several of the hardest routes in the world, including 9b+ lines, and even sent V17 boulders like Alphane. His ability to maintain peak performance across competitions and outdoor projects earns him a top spot.
4. Simon Lorenzi
Simon Lorenzi, born in 1997 in Blegny, Belgium, is one of the strongest boulderers in the world. He made headlines with his first ascent of Soudain Seul in Fontainebleau, graded V16/V17, cementing its place as one of the hardest boulders globally. Lorenzi has also repeated the legendary Burden of Dreams in Finland, one of the few V17s ever climbed. Specializing in bouldering, Lorenzi pushes the absolute limits of power and technique on some of the most demanding problems on the planet.
5. Barbara “Babsi” Zangerl
Barbara Zangerl, born May 24, 1988, in Tyrol, Austria, is one of the most versatile climbers alive. She has made significant achievements across bouldering, sport climbing, trad climbing, and big-wall free ascents. Babsi was the first woman to boulder 8A+/8B, and she has repeated some of the hardest multi-pitch routes in the world, including free ascents on El Capitan like Freerider. She has also climbed desperate trad lines like Meltdown in Yosemite. Zangerl’s wide-ranging achievements and fearless approach make her stand out in a field often defined by specialization.
6. Brooke Raboutou
Brooke Raboutou, born May 5, 2001, in Boulder, Colorado, has rapidly become one of the strongest female climbers of her generation. She specializes in sport climbing and bouldering and is known for both competition success and outdoor achievements. In April 2025, she became the first woman to climb a 9b+ (5.15c) with her ascent of Excalibur in Arco, Italy, breaking a major barrier in female climbing. Raboutou also won a silver medal in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Her combination of competition prowess and cutting-edge outdoor sends represents the future of women’s climbing.
7. Daniel Woods
Daniel Woods, born August 1, 1989, in Richardson, Texas, is a bouldering icon. Over the past two decades, Woods has climbed more than thirty V16 or harder boulders, and he made the first ascent of Return of the Sleepwalker (V17), one of the hardest boulders in the world. He has been a consistent force in both competitions and outdoor climbing. Woods’ long-term contribution to pushing the upper limit of bouldering difficulty makes him a true legend still active today.
8. Ashima Shiraishi
Ashima Shiraishi, born April 3, 2001, in New York City, is one of the most naturally gifted climbers of her generation. As a teenager, she became the youngest person ever to climb a 9a/9a+ (5.14d/5.15a) sport route and has also sent numerous boulders up to V15 and V16. Her specialty lies in both sport climbing and bouldering, with a graceful yet powerful style that sets her apart. Ashima continues to inspire young climbers worldwide with her achievements at such a young age.
9. Alex Megos
Alex Megos, born in 1993 in Germany, is a sport climbing powerhouse. He was the first climber to onsight a 9a (5.14d) route, showcasing exceptional technical ability and mental focus. Megos has also redpointed multiple 9b+ climbs, such as Perfecto Mundo. While he does not focus on competition climbing as much as others on this list, his outdoor accomplishments have made him one of the most respected climbers in the world.
10. Alberto Ginés López
Alberto Ginés López, born in 2002 in Spain, became a household name when he won the first-ever Olympic gold medal in sport climbing at Tokyo 2020. He specializes in lead climbing and competitions but has also proven his strength outdoors. López continues to deliver podium finishes in IFSC World Cups and remains one of the brightest young stars in the sport, showing that the new generation is ready to keep climbing’s momentum alive.
Honorable Mentions
While this list focuses on the current top performers, several all-time greats deserve recognition for their lasting impact.
Alex Honnold is perhaps the most famous climber in the world thanks to his historic free solo ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite, a feat that redefined what was thought humanly possible.
Sasha DiGiulian was one of the first American women to climb 9a and has numerous World Cup victories, inspiring a generation of female climbers.
Alexander Huber, part of the legendary Huber brothers, revolutionized big-wall free climbing with bold first ascents in the Alps and Yosemite.
Daniel Woods, while still active and ranked in the top ten, also belongs here for his decades-long contribution to the sport, influencing bouldering progression for an entire generation.
Final Thoughts
Today’s rock climbers are pushing boundaries in ways that seemed impossible just a decade ago. From Adam Ondra’s world-record sport routes to Janja Garnbret’s unmatched competition dominance, the diversity of styles and achievements is what makes modern climbing so exciting. The current generation is not only breaking physical limits but also redefining what it means to be an all-around climber.
As climbing continues to evolve—through Olympic exposure, new training methods, and groundbreaking ascents—we can only expect even greater things from these athletes and the ones who follow in their footsteps.