A driven athlete with a deep passion for climbing, Cédric Lluc has been competing at a high level from a young age. His journey has been shaped by discipline, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of improvement. Now, as he prepares to rejoin the international competition scene, he’s focused on pushing his limits and refining his skills both mentally and physically. We sat down with Cédric to talk about his career, the challenges he’s faced, and his goals for the future.
Photography by Jan Luengo
How long have you been climbing, and how did you first get started in the sport?
I started climbing at the age of 9 when my parents signed me up for a summer camp at a climbing centre. They noticed how much I enjoyed it and soon after a climbing gym opened near our house. I joined and that was the start of my journey into competitive climbing.
Not long after, I entered a Catalan Cup competition in my gym, even though I had been climbing for less than a year. I was advised to imitate another competitor - who unfortunately wasn't the strongest - which resulted in me coming last. But instead of getting discouraged, I saw it as an opportunity to improve. My parents got me a coach - one of the best I've ever had - who pushed me hard and helped shape my early career. My first goal? Just not to come last in the next competition.
Another sport that had a big influence on me was Taekwondo. I started at the age of 3 and soon moved to a gym to train more seriously. My coach was a huge influence, teaching me discipline and proper training. I started competing at 6, although the minimum age was 7 - my coach found a loophole to get me in early. I continued until I was 14, eventually winning a gold medal at the European Championships in Portugal.
Along the way I also competed in trail running and mountain biking, although these were mainly to support my taekwondo training, and I only competed in a few Catalan Cup races. .
You were a professional in Taekwondo before transitioning to climbing. How was making such a big decision at a young age, and what influenced that shift?
I had to make this choice while competing at a high level in both sports. It was a choice between the sport I had done for most of my life and the one I had just started.
What ultimately led me to choose climbing was the retirement of my taekwondo coach. He had been training me since I was three years old, and when a younger, less experienced coach took over, the quality of the training sessions suffered. It was the final push I needed.
It was a difficult decision, but life is about opening some doors and closing others. Choosing climbing meant letting go of taekwondo, a sport that had shaped me for years. Looking back, my life could have taken a completely different path - but that's what makes it so exciting: the choices we make define who we become.
You’ve competed internationally from a young age with the German team, achieving remarkable results in climbing competitions. What moments from those early competitions stand out the most to you?
It was an unforgettable experience, but what I value most is the opportunity to travel around Europe and meet people my age who share my passion. In just one season I visited over 14 different countries.
Competing for Germany - a country I wasn't born or raised in - pushed me to grow. Although I was born and lived in Spain, my German parents made me eligible for the team. I barely spoke German at the time, so I had to communicate in English and adapt to long periods away from my family.
One of my proudest moments was finishing third in the European Championships in Sofia, Budapest. We celebrated the end of the season that night, but what meant the most was coming home to my parents, who were incredibly proud. The whole competition left me with lifelong memories.
Facing administrative and nationality challenges over the last four years must have been difficult. How did you stay motivated and focused during that time, and what lessons did you take from those experiences?
That was partly my choice. As a German athlete, I had a four-year Olympic scholarship at my disposal, but my studies were always my priority.
In Germany, elite athletes can get into most university courses with just a good grade (5.0), with the exception of health professions, which require a full entrance exam. As I wanted to study psychology or veterinary medicine, I had to take the standard university entrance exams.
This meant moving to Germany alone at the age of 16, without speaking the language fluently, finding a small job to cover expenses beyond my scholarship, and preparing for my exams in German. Meanwhile, in Spain, I had everything in place and was likely to qualify for the degree I wanted. So I prioritised my studies and turned down the Olympic scholarship.
Shortly afterwards, COVID-19 came along, competitions were cancelled, and I couldn't go to Germany to get the points I needed to qualify. That's when we started the process of changing national teams so that I could compete for Spain.
However, the transfer required me to leave the German team for at least two years before becoming eligible for another country. The paperwork took three years to complete, which means that this is the first season in four years that I have been able to play for a national team again.
You’ve set your sights on competing in the 2028 Olympics. What does your training and preparation look like as you work towards that goal?
Climbing is complex in terms of training, requiring a mix of skills in three disciplines: lead, bouldering and speed. With the Olympic format still uncertain, my training plan remains adaptable - whether lead and bouldering will be combined or separate from speed is yet to be decided.
My focus is on qualifying for the Olympics, starting with strong performances at the Spanish Championships and a national selection event. From there, I need to secure a place at the European Championships, where reaching at least the final is crucial to securing a place at the 2027 World Championships.
I train six climbing sessions a week, each lasting 3-4 hours, plus one physical conditioning session. My schedule changes depending on the competition season: during the lead season I prioritise endurance with four lead sessions and two bouldering sessions, while during the bouldering season I reverse the ratio.
With Olympic qualification on the line and the format of the competition still undecided, my training remains flexible to ensure I'm prepared for any scenario.
You’ve mentioned wanting to combine your passion for sports and psychology in the future. How do you envision helping other high-performance athletes reach their full potential, both mentally and physically?
Competing at a high level has taught me that mental strength is just as important as physical ability. Many athletes have exceptional technical skills, but what really sets the best apart is their mindset - how they deal with pressure, setbacks and key moments.
Sports psychology is a fundamental pillar of high performance and I want to use both my personal experience and academic training to help athletes reach their full potential. My aim is to integrate mental strategies with physical training to create a holistic approach to performance.
Managing stress and anxiety in competition is essential. Techniques such as controlled breathing, visualisation and focus training can have a significant impact, while resilience - the ability to turn setbacks into growth opportunities - is another key element of success.
Beyond competition, mental preparation is essential for long-term development. Setting realistic goals helps maintain steady progress while avoiding burnout. Balancing high performance with personal life is another challenge, but finding the right balance is essential for a sustainable career.
Ultimately, my approach goes beyond athletic success - I want to help athletes thrive both mentally and physically. Sport is more than just competition; it's a personal journey and my goal is to help athletes grow as competitors and as individuals. .
Climbing requires both physical strength and mental resilience. How do you mentally prepare for a challenging climb, and what mindset do you bring to the wall?
Climbing demands both physical strength and mental resilience. Preparing for a tough route isn’t just about training the body—it’s about building a mindset of confidence, focus, and adaptability.
Before a climb, I use visualization, mentally rehearsing every move, anticipating mistakes, and feeling the flow of the sequence. This reduces uncertainty and creates familiarity with the route. Breath control is also key—deep breathing before starting helps me stay relaxed, while steady breathing during the climb prevents tension and keeps me focused.
Once on the wall, I shift entirely to the present moment. Doubt and overthinking can throw you off, so I focus on adaptation—if a move doesn’t go as planned, I adjust instead of getting frustrated. Fear is always present, whether it’s falling or failing, but I don’t let it dictate my actions. Confidence isn’t about being fearless—it’s about acting despite fear.
Ultimately, climbing is as much a mental challenge as a physical one. Visualization, breath control, focus, and resilience help me embrace failure as part of the process and trust in my preparation. On the wall, the real test is learning to adapt and believe in yourself.
Barcelona has a vibrant climbing community and incredible outdoor spaces. How has the city and its climbing culture influenced your development as an athlete?
Barcelona has been essential to my growth as a climber, offering both a strong community and a mix of world-class indoor and outdoor climbing.
The city's climbing gyms provide a high-level training environment, surrounded by talented climbers who push me to improve. But what has really shaped my development is the proximity to legendary outdoor destinations such as Montserrat, Siurana and Margalef, where I've honed my technique on different rock types and styles.
Beyond training, Barcelona's climbing culture is a constant source of inspiration. Here, climbing is more than just a sport - it is a lifestyle that connects people with nature and personal challenges, which drives me to continue to develop.
"Choosing climbing meant letting go of taekwondo, a sport that had shaped me for years. Looking back, my life could have taken a completely different path - but that's what makes it so exciting: the choices we make define who we become."