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Chris Sharma

Chris Sharma
Sharma in 2008
Personal information
Born (1981-04-23) April 23, 1981 (age 43)[1]
Santa Cruz, California, U.S.
OccupationProfessional rock climber
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)[2]
Weight165 lb (75 kg)[2]
SpouseJimena Alarcón
Websitewww.chrissharma.com
Climbing career
Type of climber
Highest grade
Known for
  • First to climb consensus sport 9a+ (5.15a),[a] 9b (5.15b), and second to climb 9b+ (5.15c)
  • First to climb DWS grades at 9a+ (5.15a)
First ascents
Medal record
Men's competition climbing
Representing  United States
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 1997 Paris Lead
World Youth Championships
Gold medal – first place 1995 Lead
Updated on 20 June 2022

Chris Omprakash Sharma (born 23 April 1981) is an American rock climber who is considered one of the greatest and most influential climbers in the history of the sport.[1] He dominated sport climbing for the decade after his 2001 ascent of Realization/Biographie, the world's first-ever redpoint of a consensus 9a+ (5.15a) graded route,[a] and ushered in what was called a "technical evolution" in the sport.[3] Sharma carried the mantle of "world's strongest sport climber" from Wolfgang Güllich (who held it for almost a decade from the early 1980s), and passed it to Adam Ondra (who held it from 2012).[4]

In 2008, Sharma redpointed the world's first-ever consensus 9b (5.15b) route with Jumbo Love, and in 2013, became only the second-ever person to climb a 9b+ (5.15c) route with La Dura Dura. Sharma is also known for free soloing the world's first-ever 9a+ (5.15a) deep-water solo route, Es Pontàs in 2006.[5] Sharma became one of the most commercially successful climbers in his sport, and was noted for his "King Lines" – iconic routes that inspired him to spend the months and even years needed to climb them – some of which feature in the award-winning 2007 climbing film, King Lines.[5][6]


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