Multiple World Cup gold medallist Natalia Grossman of the USA is set to make her long-awaited return to international competition at the upcoming Pan American Cup, taking place in Armenia, Colombia, from 22 to 26 November – more than one year after her last appearance on the global stage.

After finishing 11th at the Paris Olympics, Grossman wrapped up her 2024 season at the final two Climbing World Cups: first in Prague, Czechia, where she claimed gold in women’s Boulder, and then in Seoul, South Korea, where she finished fourth.

RECOVERY, RESILIENCE, RELEARNING

While preparing for her 2025 debut, Grossman tore her ACL and meniscus on 27 February, undergoing surgery shortly after, on 6 March.

“It’s been a very hard time, lots of hard and emotional moments,” she said. “It’s been very draining, but it’s also been eye-opening, and I’ve learned how much Climbing really means to me by having it taken away.

“I’ve definitely learned resilience, trusting my body and my instinct, and I’ve fallen in love with Climbing all over again. I have a new appreciation for movement and climbing as a whole,” she explained.

LOOKING AHEAD TO ARMENIA

“I don’t really know what my goals or expectations are in Colombia. Boulder competitions are going to be hosted in a Climbing gym with all vertical walls. Because it was a knee injury and I couldn’t use my leg for a long time, it’s probably the style I’m furthest away from being back to,” she said, noting that slab climbing was the last style she reintroduced during rehab.

“It’s not even slab, but more being able to do lots of slab, the overall fitness, because my legs will get tired more quickly,” Grossman added.

Despite the challenges, Grossman emphasises that her focus for her first competition in 14 months will be simple: “My safety is my number one priority. I’d love just to be able to try hard, have fun, and be in the comp environment.”

A NEW LANDSCAPE FOR TEAM USA

Her return also comes at a time when Team USA has seen the rise of new podium contenders, including Annie Sanders and Melina Costanza, who respectively medaled at multiple World Cups and at the World Championships throughout 2025.

With US Nationals and Team Trials scheduled for February and March, Grossman will re-enter a highly competitive field, with selection for next season’s team on the horizon.

“I’d love to qualify for the US team and do all the Boulder World Cups, but I only want to be competing in the circuit if I feel like I’m at my best. If I don’t make the team, that means I am not ready.”

As for her long-term goals, Grossman confirmed she will return to specialising in Boulder: “I’m super excited about it, I love bouldering. I was supposed to do that this year, but with my injury it was either rope-climb or no Climbing.”

WHERE TO WATCH AND FOLLOW

The IFSC Pan American Cup Armenia 2025 kicked off on 22 November, with Speed qualifications and finals. Boulder and Lead competitions are running for four additional days before concluding on Thursday, 27 November.

All semi-finals and finals will be streamed live on the newly launched IFSC Pan America YouTube channel. News and updates about all IFSC events will be available on the IFSC website and on the Federation’s digital channels: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok, X, and exclusively for the Chinese audience, Bilibili, Douyin, Weibo, and Xiaohongshu.