--- title: "Nonaka Miho rediscovering her passion for climbing in Madrid; aims to qualify for LA28 Olympics" sdDatePublished: "2026-09-03T13:07:00Z" source: "https://www.olympics.com/en/news/nonaka-miho-passion-for-climbing-olympic-games-la-2028" topics: - name: "sport" identifier: "medtop:15000000" - name: "sport achievement" identifier: "medtop:20001301" - name: "sport event" identifier: "medtop:20001108" locations: - "Tokyo" - "Ajalvir" - "Los Angeles" - "Maharashtra" - "Île-de-France" - "Briançon" --- Nonaka Miho rediscovering her passion for climbing in Madrid; aims to qualify for LA28 Olympics Nonaka Miho on rediscovering her passion for climbing, with one eye on the LA28 Olympics Nonaka Miho on rediscovering her passion for climbing, with one eye on the LA28 Olympics Once one of the most passionate competitors on the World Climbing Series, the 29-year-old has struggled to adapt to the “new era” of climbing. But that hasn’t stopped her dreaming about a consecutive appearance at the Olympic Games. Earlier this year, Olympics.com asked athletes to share words of wisdom for young people who experience self-doubt when starting a new sport or making life changes, like becoming more active. Many were eager to share the lessons they learned throughout their careers. Still, for Japanese climbing star Nonaka Miho , those words of encouragement were harder to find, as she too was fighting an invisible battle within, searching for purpose despite having spent years at the highest level. “I don't know how I'm still competing,” the two-time Olympian told Olympics.com. “I'm not as psyched as I used to be, but I'm trying to find joy again. “If I keep doing it (climbing), and if I keep believing in myself, I think one day I can really enjoy [competing] again.” For the Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist, who first fell in love with her sport after trying it at an indoor gym aged eight, it’s a journey well worth the sacrifice. “Climbing makes me think [about] what's important and what worth [looks like] in my life,” she reflected from the sidelines of the 2026 World Climbing Series Communidad de Madrid. “It's been there since I was little. “ Climbing is just fun. I love climbing. ” From Laurie Hernandez to Franck Seguela - Olympians share how they overcame self-doubt and stayed the course World Climbing Series 2026: Stars to follow, full schedule and how to watch live Miho Nonaka on finding joy again ahead of LA28 Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist Miho Nonaka opens up about being motivated, adapting to a changing sport and why the road to LA28 could be the final chapter of her climbing career. How Nonaka Miho is finding motivation again After making her World Climbing Series debut at Briançon (Lead) in 2013, Nonaka won her first World Climbing Series competition at Navi Mumbai (Boulder) in 2016, claimed the World Climbing Series (Boulder) overall title in 2018, earned gold (Boulder) at The World Games 2022 and finished ninth (Boulder + Lead) at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 . But after 13 seasons spent topping routes, podiums and rankings, Nonaka confessed that she is still adapting to new changes in the sport. “So many things about competition climbing have changed over the years, [and] I haven't figured it out yet,” admitted the Boulder specialist with 26 World Climbing Series podium finishes to her name. It’s hard to believe that one of the sport’s top stars could feel as though she’s 'ageing out' of competition at 29, but such is the rapid progression in climbing since it was added to the Olympic sports programme at Tokyo 2020. “There's obviously a lot of coordination, jumping, and [dynamic] movements. The holds are getting bigger and bigger. “It's my personal problem, but I have sweaty hands, so it's always hard to stick on sloppers and stuff like that,” she explained. “I've been trying to figure out what excites me, really, but I think I just want to prove [to] myself that I'm still strong,” she concluded. “ I can still do well in this new era .” Opponents or teammates? Sport climbing athletes help each other figure out the beta | Olympic Games Paris 2024 How the Olympics kept Nonaka climbing Nonaka has struggled in this Olympic cycle, but has no desire to hang up the chalk bag just yet. Instead, she is focusing on future goals and wants to qualify for the Olympic Games LA 2028 . “I'm excited,” she confirmed to Olympics.com. “Because that's not something that everyone can do (qualifying for a third Olympics), and if I have a chance, I definitely want to try. ” With the qualification process set to begin in earnest for Asian athletes during the 2027 World Climbing Championships in Brno, Czechia, Nonaka still has plenty of time to make the necessary adjustments in her technique and find the joy in competition once more. “I don't know if I love competing, but I like competing,” she continued. “I don't like the feeling of losing,” she added, advising young athletes to brush aside their fears when it comes to how others will see them. ”I'd rather be strong than be weak, caring about my weight or look. “ I just want to be strong. ” By Lorena Encabo Matt Nelsen