Professional climber Chiara Hanke is very impressed with the participants, specially girls, who are here for the Open National Sport Climbing Championship organised by Tata Steel.

Invited as a guest by the steel major to inspire young climbers, the German climber is spending time with the girls, boosting their morale and imparting tips.

“I came across shiny eyes I and am impressed with the craze among girls for sport climbing. I feel very happy to be in India for the first time,” Chiara, who dropped anchor in Jamshedpur Friday evening, said at the Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) office on Saturday.

Chiara, who started climbing at age 13 and is the first German woman to climb route 9a (a grade of climbing) in July this year, added she sees a lot of potential among steel city climbers who have “very fine movement” on artificial walls.

She also seemed impressed with the outstation contestants.

Heaping praise on Tata Steel for supporting sport climbing, Chiara said the sport was all about self-belief, power, strength, good training, community and partners.

“I think Tata Steel is doing the needful in terms of providing the facilities and support to climbers here. There is not much sponsorship support back in Germany. Climbers have to manage things on their own,” the Nuremberg resident said.

Chiara, 26, who has represented her country in World Cup and European Youth Cups and topped lead climbing in the German Cup in 2013, finished second the following year and third in 2015, owns a sport climbing unit at her residence.

She is off competitions for now due to a leg injury.

She said sport climbing was job-oriented as climbers have the opportunity to become mentors and route setters.

“I have watched Jamshedpur climbers in action here and have a firm belief that some of them can represent their country in the Olympics in future.

“But it’s a long way to go,” she added.

“You need a lot of concentration and flexibility to reach the top of the wall. But I am very hopeful about the future of climbers here as Tata Steel has provided some training excellent facilities, and is also extending the much-needed support.”

She advised climbers to inculcate a professional attitude, be passionate and believe in their abilities.

A total of 130 participants, mostly girls, from across the country are part of the championship. The boys and girls are in the 6-9, 10-13 and 14-16 age groups .