Elite climber Falconer chasing 2028 Olympic dream
Mary Falconer, a 15-year-old from Wales, has become one of the United Kingdom's top youth climbers despite only taking up bouldering three years ago. Currently the 2025 Scottish Bouldering Champion and Irish National Lead Champion, she competes extensively across the UK and Europe whilst maintaining an intensive training schedule that includes a home gym her father constructed. She was selected for competitive squads during her first year of competition, demonstrating remarkable aptitude and dedication to the sport.
Falconer turned to bouldering following her mother's death from a rare cancer when she was seven years old, finding in the sport both an emotional outlet and a sense of personal achievement. She has chosen to represent Romania, her mother's native country, for her Olympic aspirations rather than competing for England. With bouldering joining the Olympic programme as a separate medal event for the first time in 2028, Falconer aims to compete at the Los Angeles Games with the support of Romanian coaches and her father, who has been instrumental in enabling her career development.
- 15-year-old Welsh climber is one of the UK's top youth competitors after just three years of training
- Started bouldering to cope with her mother's death from rare cancer; now trains almost daily with exceptional dedication
- Pursuing 2028 Olympic dream representing Romania, her mother's native country, alongside Romanian coaching support