Olympian Sabrina will attempt to climb K2

KARACHI:

"I really did it,关键字3 finally arrived in Skardu 2 days ago, after an incredibly difficult and challenging day from Gilgit to Skardu," the four-time Olympian judoka Sabrina Filzmoser texted as she achieved the incredible feat of becoming the first woman in Pakistan's history to complete the journey of 2,324 km in just 10 days.

This is the first time a female cyclist has covered a long-distance ride in such a short time under extreme weather conditions, according to the Pakistan Judo Federation.

Sabrina has been a breath of fresh air for the local judo clubs, as well as along the way, where she trained with the youngsters, highlighting the conditions they are pursuing in the sport.

The greatest feature of Sabrina's journey has been her open-hearted interactions with the people on the road and those she met at her stops.

She has been featuring Pakistani music on her Instagram as well as the incredible moments from her experience on Pakistani roads. Her efforts show that she has been immersed in the Pakistani culture through her incredible initiative.

This is also the second time that the 2011 and 2008 European Judo Championship gold medallist is in Pakistan, previously she visited and trained the locals in judo and cycling on her journey in 2023.

But this time it is different because the 44-year-old is fulfilling her aim of riding from the sea level to K2.

On her reaching in Skardu Sabrina reflected on her effort with joy and pride.

"It was a challenging day from Gilgit to Skardu, 14 hours on the road, rain, heat, headwind, crosswind, mudslides, rockfalls, blockages, technical issues, but it's all done and dusted. Safely in Gilgit-Baltistan," she text this correspondent on Thursday. "Now I will spend time preparing for the expedition, working on the permits, train with the Baltistan cycling club and the Judokids.

"Then there'll be a possible one further section on MTB to Askole, probably starting in 10 days, and from there we'll the trek on the Baltoro glacier.

"K2 base camp is very remote, we need at least 1 week to reach it from Askole. Afterward acclimatization period will start, and the actual K2-climbing is possible in a short window end of July/beginning of August."

The Austrian athlete covered 2,324 km on her bike, the total altitude she gained was 118,386 meters, and spent 111.45 hours on the road, according to the statistics shared by the Pakistan Judo Federation secretary Masood Ahmed. Sabrina has taken up this journey on her own resources, however, the PJF is helping with logistics wherever they can.

Sabrina began her journey when she arrived in Karachi on May 21. She immediately took to her engagement with the media and the Sindh Olympic Association, went to the mausoleum of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, and cycled her way from the Seaview.

She then went on to complete the first leg upwards from Karachi to Hyderabad and then Sukkur in sweltering temperatures of 48 to 52 degrees Celsius.

From there onwards she reached Rahim Yar Khan to Lahore and then the nation's capital in Islamabad.

Later the International Judo Federation Athletes' Commission chairperson went ahead to Gilgit-Baltistan.

Break for the International Judo Fed meeting

Sabrina will resume her ambitious project of climbing K2 after a week's break.

She returned to Islamabad after spending a few days in Skardu and will be leaving for Budapest on June 7 due to her commitment to the IFJ.

"I just arrived in Islamabad and will leave for an important commitment as the chair of the IJF athletes commission to the Judo world championships in Budapest," Sabrina updated this correspondent. "I will be back in Islamabad on 14.6. next day to Skardu from where I further continue my way to K2."

After attending the IJF meeting on 11 June 2025, the two-time World Judo Championship bronze-medallist will resume her mission from Skardu to the K2 base camp and then the K2 summit attempt upon her return. She is expected to return to Islamabad again around August 2025, after the conclusion of the second phase of her mission, according to the PJF press update.

Key stats from Sabrina's Garmin Edge device:

Total distance: 2,324 km

Total altitude gained: 118,386 meters

Time on road: 111.45 hours.