Introduction

Jan Hojer (GER) Age: 29

Cologne-born all-rounder Jan Hojer started competing from the age of 10 and was considered a strong contender for the Olympics as soon as the triple discipline format was announced. His background in youth Lead and Speed competitions combined with high strength and power in Bouldering - and a happy-go-lucky nature - make him one to watch in Tokyo, along with his consistency in peaking at the right time. Hojer seems to thrive in high-pressure, one-off championship events, having won just twelve medals in 53 Boulder World Cup rounds, but an impressive seven medals across fewer-and-further-between World and European Championships and World Games. With his uncanny ability to out-do routesetters and find his own unique way of doing moves to suit his tall frame, Hojer is an extremely adaptable athlete. 
 

Hojer won the IFSC Boulder World Cup overall title in 2014 and has three European Championship titles to his name: two in Boulder and one in Combined. At World Championship level, he has won three medals (two bronze, one silver) in Boulder and Combined, including a bronze in the 2018 Innsbruck World Championships in Combined – the first event in which the Combined format was contested at senior level.

Qualification route

Toulouse Combined Qualifier: 5^th place

Following a disappointing 17^th place at the first Olympic qualifying event - the IFSC World Championships in Hachioji – Hojer had to make up the ground in Toulouse, knowing that only one quota place for a German male remained after Alex Megos punched his ticket in Hachioji and compatriot Yannick Flohé narrowly missed out, finishing in 11^th place. A steady performance in Toulouse – which saw him battle head-to-head in a critical run with Flohé in Speed – earned him 5^th place in the event to become seed #11.

Trivia

At 6ft2, Hojer stands head and shoulders above many of his fellow competitors.

UKC prediction

Given his experience and ability to deal with pressure, we reckon Hojer could make finals and finish 6^th.