2026 Sport Climbing Injury Report: Bertone, Kerem, and Akhtar Make Triumphant Midseason Returns

The 2026 International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Cup season has been a grueling test of endurance, demanding peak physical condition across multiple continents. As the circuit reaches its midseason stretch, the physical toll of dynamic bouldering and high-intensity lead climbing has sidelined several competitors. Yet, the story of the summer has not been the injuries themselves, but the remarkable resilience of athletes who have successfully rehabilitated and returned to the wall.

French climbing star Oriane Bertone has delivered one of the most impressive midseason comebacks. During the World Climbing Series event in Prague in early June, Bertone suffered a shoulder injury that forced her to withdraw from the final round. For an athlete who had been in dominant form—having recently sent the 8B+ boulder 'Gecko assis' in Fontainebleau—the setback threatened to derail her momentum.

However, Bertone's absence was brief. Utilizing targeted physical therapy and careful load management, she returned to the mats just weeks later at the highly anticipated World Climbing Series event in Innsbruck. Climbing with visible composure while still managing the lingering effects of the shoulder issue, Bertone navigated a tightly contested semi-final to secure her spot in the top eight.

In the Innsbruck Boulder final, Bertone proved she still possessed elite power and precision. She finished in fifth place with a score of 24.5 points, executing complex coordination moves that tested the stability of her recovering shoulder. Her performance signaled to the rest of the field that she remains a formidable contender for the remainder of the 2026 season.

Bertone is not the only athlete making a triumphant return. Israeli climber Ayala Kerem has also battled back from physical setbacks to reclaim her place among the sport's elite. After dealing with a minor injury during her winter training block, Kerem had to carefully calibrate her early-season schedule to avoid aggravating the issue.[1]

Kerem's patience paid off in the spring when she captured a bronze medal at the World Climbing Europe Series in Kaunas, Lithuania. She carried that renewed confidence into the Innsbruck World Cup, where she matched Bertone move-for-move in the semi-finals. Kerem ultimately finished sixth in the Innsbruck Boulder final with 19.7 points, cementing her status as a consistent finals threat as she builds toward her long-term goal of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.[1]

On the men's side, Great Britain's Dayan Akhtar showcased similar resilience. A midseason injury forced Akhtar to withdraw from the Boulder World Cup in Bern, Switzerland, interrupting a promising campaign. Rather than rushing his recovery, Akhtar worked with medical staff to ensure his joint stability was fully restored before re-entering the competition circuit.

Akhtar made his return at the World Climbing Series event in Alcobendas, Madrid. Shaking off the competitive rust, he navigated a challenging qualification field to reach the final, ultimately finishing in eighth place. His successful return highlighted the importance of objective strength testing over arbitrary calendar timelines when clearing athletes for competition.[2]

The rapid recoveries of Bertone, Kerem, and Akhtar reflect a broader shift in how the sport handles physical trauma. According to a recent scoping review in the BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, chronic overuse injuries account for 33% to 44% of all climbing injuries, with the upper limbs bearing the brunt of the damage. In previous eras, climbers often attempted to push through the pain, leading to severe ruptures and season-ending surgeries.[2]

Today, sports physiotherapists emphasize resilience—the ability of the body to tolerate the specific demands of climbing and adapt over time. By incorporating targeted mobility work, antagonist muscle strengthening, and progressive reloading on the wall, modern climbers are recovering faster and returning to competition with a lower risk of re-injury.[2]

As the 2026 IFSC season transitions toward the Lead climbing events and the upcoming World Championships, the health of the athlete roster will remain a decisive factor. For climbers like Bertone, Kerem, and Akhtar, their successful midseason rehabilitations have not only salvaged their current campaigns but also provided a blueprint for longevity in an increasingly punishing sport.