Olympic gold medal climber welcomed home

Toby Roberts has been welcomed home to Surrey after winning a gold medal at the Olympics.

The 19-year-old, from Elstead, said it "feels like a dream" to have won the men's boulder and lead event in Paris.

Roberts’ family organised a barbecue at The Mill pub in the village this afternoon to celebrate his return.

His sister, Emma, said: “Coming out of the car and seeing everyone was really emotional and overwhelming.”

Roberts, who completed his first recorded climb aged three, won Great Britain's 14th gold at the Olympics in a dramatic victory after Japanese climber and favourite Sorato Anraku slipped on his ascent up the 15m wall last week.

Upon his return to Surrey, Roberts said it was “surreal” to be back with an Olympic medal.

“The reception I have received today from my friends, family, the whole village – it has been so nice to come back to and really refreshing,” he told BBC Radio Surrey.

“I couldn’t be happier.”

The climber said his next goal was to qualify for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

His father, Tristian, who is also his coach, added: “To see your son achieve something like that at such a young age makes the whole family so incredibly proud.”

Roberts, who improved his climbing on a DIY wall built in his parents’ garden, is part of Spider Climbing Group, based in Guildford.

Emma said while her brother had always loved climbing, nobody predicted his rise to success.

“We just thought he was pretty good at climbing, and then the next thing you know, he’s winning a gold medal in his first Olympics,” she said.

Roberts’ brother, James, added: “As soon as Toby won that medal, he didn’t believe it. We didn’t believe it. There are no words to describe that feeling.”

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