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Born:

1986, Warsaw, Poland

Biggest achievement:

La Rubia (8c+), Villanueva del Rosario / Over 200 routes graded 8a and harder / First ascent of Miauu (7c), Geyik Bayiri, Turkey

DMM athlete since:

2013

Michał Kwiatkowski is a Polish sport climber, coach and former van-life devotee who came to climbing entirely by chance in 2007 at the age of 21, having grown up in a small village in central Poland where climbing was completely unknown. What followed is one of the most driven self-improvement stories in the sport. With no climbing heritage or early advantage, Michal built himself into an elite performer through sheer appetite for time on rock, progressing from his first routes to 8c+ redpoints and consistent 8a onsights across Europe. He has climbed over 200 routes graded 8a and harder and has spent the equivalent of around three years of his life at Rodellar alone, the Spanish limestone cave that he considers his second home. Equally passionate about new routing, onsighting and endurance climbing on tufas, Michal spent years living in his motorhome at the best crags in Spain, Greece and France, working as a climbing coach and chasing his next hard objective. For the past two years, he has been manager of the biggest climbing gym in Poland, so he now spends far less time on the road, though he is still climbing as hard as ever. For Michal, climbing has never been a hobby. It is simply life.

"Climbing is always first in my life. I can say I am living at the rocks or close to a climbing gym. Climbing is my life."

Get to know Michał

When did you start climbing?

2007. Before that I had never even heard of climbing.

Who are your role models, both within and outside the climbing community?

I always looked up to Dani Andrada. His approach to climbing and the amount of time he dedicated to opening areas was inspiring. I was fortunate that a few years later we met in Spain and have crossed paths many times since.

What do you consider your most significant climbing achievement to date?

La Rubia (8c+) in Villanueva del Rosario, Spain. A 50-metre marathon with tufas in the Chilam Balam sector. A proper test of everything I have built.

How would you describe your climbing style and your anti-style?

What people say: great technique, crazy body flexibility, master of kneebars and endurance to be on the rock for hours. My anti-style is pockets and short, bouldery, fingery routes.

How do you manage the mental pressure of a long-term project? I try to tell myself that nobody cares whether I send it or not anyway. It won't change the world. That usually helps.

What has climbing taught you?

That if something seems impossible, if you persist in trying there is a good chance you will achieve it. Climbing teaches humility, perseverance and precision, and is a great reason to travel and meet new people. It develops not only the body but also the soul.

Which crag or mountain is your favourite and which do you consider the most beautiful in the world?

Rodellar. It stole my heart. I have spent around three years of my life there in total and I still have many routes left to do. I still love this place.

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