Kintana ILTIS | from the Indian Ocean to the summits, the ascent of a fighter

Leaving your island to climb the peaks

Originally from La Réunion, I'm 22 years old and I'm passionate about nature, competition... and above all, about surpassing myself. My sporting career began at a very young age: dance, gymnastics, horse-riding, rugby... until the day surfing came into my life. I fell in love with it. I was determined to progress, but in 2013, everything changed: a series of shark attacks led to a ban on surfing on the island. So we had to bounce back, fast.

It was then that my father took me ravine climbing for the first time, on the rough basalt cliffs of Reunion Island. I was immediately hooked. I soon joined the Austral Roc club, and that's where it all began.

In my first year in the minime category, I joined the French youth team in speed climbing. A dream come true. I wanted to keep progressing, push my limits, and make this sport my everyday life.

But on Reunion Island, training facilities were limited, and the distance from national and international competitions was becoming a hindrance. At the age of 15, I made the difficult decision to leave my island and my family to join the Pôle France in Voiron, France.

Climbing as a driving force: from shock to success

The shock was immense: climate, culture, environment, solitude... but climbing remained my driving force. It carried me through the hardest times. I was determined to make my mark on the French youth team, first in bouldering, then in difficulty, my preferred disciplines.

Today, I have a total of 8 podium finishes in the European Youth Cup in all three disciplines, 2 French champion titles in youth combined, 4 French vice-champion titles in bouldering and difficulty, and a final at the Youth World Championships.

Two and a half years ago, I moved up to the senior category. In September 2023, I took a fine 4th place in the European Cup for difficulty. Last year, I also took part in my first World Cups in my main discipline: difficulty.

This year, I felt even stronger than in previous years.

However, 2025 was the first year I failed to qualify for the French national team. I didn't get my ticket for the national team... It was quite a slap in the face after eight years.

I've been at physiotherapy school for almost two years now. Combining classes, training, exam periods, injuries and competitions has been a huge challenge. Despite the sacrifices and investments, it hasn't been enough.

I think missing out on selection this year really made me grow. It pushed me to change certain things, to improve.

It gave me the fangs and an even stronger desire to come back, stronger, better prepared and better organized for next year.

Training has already resumed.
This week, I'm off to Austria to train at the famous international gym in Innsbruck.
I'm already looking forward to getting there and sharing my adventure and future goals with you in the next article.

Collective triumph - Athletes' collective