Since her childhood, Ignacia (21) found solace in rocks and heights, a passion she shared with her brother Inti (25). Her love for climbing propelled her to face significant challenges, from rock walls to high-level international competitions, such as the World Games in the United States, where she claimed fourth place in 2022. Early this year, she embarked on an exciting journey to prepare for the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago.
Ignacia Mellado, with her determined gaze, has left a lasting impression on all the spectators at climbing competitions, particularly in the ‘lead’ specialty, which aims to reach the top as quickly as possible. “I’ve always been passionate about climbing. Since I grew up climbing, I can’t imagine a life without it. I would never give it up,” says the athlete.
On October 7th of this year, Ignacia participated in the National Sport Climbing Championship, which translated into her qualification for the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago. The competition involved a 15-meter height and a maximum 55-degree incline in the difficulty stage, earning her the maximum of 100 points.
But beyond her competition achievements, Ignacia Mellado is a source of inspiration for all those who pursue their dreams. In her story, we see the determination never to give up, no matter how steep the path may be. However, she admits that balancing her daily life with training has been a significant challenge.
“Climbing is one thing, and competing is another, which consumes your time. There are trips, training sessions, and sometimes I would like to do the things I really enjoy about climbing, which are very different from competitions. It’s a big challenge,” she says.
On Sunday, October 22nd, Ignacia qualified for the semifinals, finishing seventh in that competition with 28 points. “I’m happy. I expected more and made some mistakes, but I’m happy with the experience. I enjoyed it 100%,” she concluded.
Top Results in the Climbing Discipline
Sport Climbing made its official debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and is now making its debut at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago. A total of 68 athletes from across the continent will compete for top honors at Parque Cerrillos.
Until October 31st, the Chilean women’s climbing team, consisting of Alejandra Contreras, Ignacia Mellado, and Martina Castro, reached the semifinals, securing the 5th, 12th, and 13th positions in the rankings, respectively. As for the men’s team, represented by Benjamin Vargas, they reached the finals and secured the seventh place.”
