Oceania Mackenzie

Biography

Oceania Mackenzie, Australia's premier sport climber, has been scaling heights since she was young. Introduced to climbing by her mother, Ellen, at local gyms, Oceania quickly developed a passion for the sport. By the age of 15, she was already making waves, often outcompeting much older climbers at senior events. Her first major breakthrough came at the World Cup event in Hachioji, Japan, where she advanced to the semi-finals in both Bouldering and Lead disciplines.

Oceania's career took a significant turn when she was awarded an International Olympic Scholarship, easing the financial pressures and allowing her to focus on qualifying for the Olympic Games. She made history as the first Australian woman to compete in sport climbing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, showcasing her skills in lead, speed, and bouldering.

Her dedication paid off in 2019 when she placed sixth at the Bouldering World Cup in Switzerland, a career highlight shared by only one other Australian female before her. Even the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic couldn't slow her down; she trained on a homemade climbing wall during lockdown and won the IFSC Oceania Championships in December 2020, securing her spot for Tokyo 2020.

Although her Olympic debut in Tokyo saw her end 19th overall, Oceania didn’t let that deter her. In 2023, after a grueling World Cup bouldering series, she ranked seventh in the world. Her best performance came in Brixen, Italy, where she finished fifth in the finals. Beyond climbing, Oceania enjoys baking and mentoring young climbers, continually pushing herself and others to reach new heights as she sets her sights on Paris 2024.