A dream born in the Himalayas
These were not Sabrina’s first exploits. Some years ago, she scaled a distance from sea level to the summit of Everest. Building on that experience, she set herself a new goal: to repeat the feat all the way to K2, the world’s second highest peak and arguably the most dangerous.
Yet geopolitical tensions and the extreme conditions of the Karakoram meant she could neither start at sea level nor reach the summit. In 2025, the Austrian champion returned to Pakistan, determined to realise her dream.
Crossing Pakistan by bike
Her journey began in Karachi, on the shores of the Arabian Sea. For several weeks, she cycled across the country in temperatures sometimes exceeding 50°C, a physical challenge of the highest order, made all the more remarkable by a tense security situation.
Beyond the sporting achievement, it was the human encounters that left the greatest impression. With the support of the Pakistan Judo Federation, she was able to share her passion in numerous clubs, discovering both an unexpected enthusiasm for judo and the social impact the sport can have in Pakistan.
A battle against the elements
After covering more than 300 km on some days, Sabrina moved on to the final phase of her project: the ascent of K2, without supplementary oxygen. Her acclimatisation on Broad Peak, a neighbouring summit over 8,000 m high, went perfectly, and she managed to climb beyond 7,000 m, however, nature had other plans.
An unusually fierce monsoon struck the region, making further progress impossible. The slopes of the Karakoram turned into a deadly trap while the valleys below were devastated by torrential rain, causing massive destruction and claiming many lives. Faced with this dramatic situation, Sabrina made the difficult but vital decision to turn back.
The path matters more than the summit
Now back in Austria, Sabrina reflects on the humility this journey has taught her. For her, in line with the philosophy of judo, the essence lay not in the summit itself but in the path travelled. “Crossing Pakistan by bike and on foot, meeting the people, sharing judo and experiencing a major climate crisis first-hand, that is worth far more than a summit,” she explains.
A message of resilience and hope
Beyond her role as an athlete, Sabrina fully embraced her mission as an IJF Climate Ambassador. She bore witness to the devastating effects of climate change in a particularly vulnerable region. Her journey was also an opportunity to distribute equipment, engage with local communities and spread a message of peace and hope.
Forever Everest K2 2025 cannot be measured in terms of success or failure. It was a profoundly human experience, highlighting both the resilience of a people and the urgency of changing our habits. An adventure that shows, perhaps more than ever, that true victory lies not in the summit itself, but in the road taken to reach it.
