Introduction

Born in La Réunion, a small French overseas territory off the east coast of Africa with a disproportionately high number of excellent competition climbers, Manon Lebon became a World Youth Champion in 2022. 

Manon was runner-up to Paris-qualified teammate Capucine Viglione in 2024 and has one senior medal to her name: a gold from the IFSC European Cup in 2022. She made top-16 in her first World Cup in Villars in 2021 and has been a frequent finalist ever since.

In an interview after she landed back home in La Réunion, Manon explained that her sights had been set on reaching LA 2028, and that qualifying for Paris 2024 wasn’t ‘expected’, but still ‘a possibility.’

Qualification route

Olympic Qualifier Series - 10th place

Manon placed 15th in Shanghai - provisionally out of the running for the top-7 - but improved considerably in Budpest with an 8th place. Her standout performance was a win over world No.1 Natalia Kalucka (POL) which saw her progress to the ¼ finals. Manon was beaten by ineligible athlete Di Niu (CHN), but she’d done enough to secure her ticket.

Trivia

Alongside teammate Oriane Bertone, qualified in Boulder & Lead, Manon is the second Réunionnaise to qualify in Sport Climbing for Paris 2024.

UKC prediction

Having not long left the junior circuit, Manon has a long senior career ahead of her. With a PB that’s not yet quite below 7 seconds, she will struggle to make the top-10 - but anything can happen in Speed.