Enzo Oddo

Born

1995-02-22

Birthplace

Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France

Biography

Enzo Oddo is a French climber born in Nice on February 22, 1995. He was recognized at a very young age as one of the leading talents of his generation in rock climbing and bouldering. His career has been marked by meteoric progress since adolescence, with several 9a routes completed by the age of 14, quickly establishing him among the best French and international specialists. Originally from Nice, Enzo Oddo began climbing at a very young age and distinguished himself early on with an aggressive style, great ease on difficult routes, and an ability to string together high-level performances in a short period. He joined Team Petzl at 13 and quickly became a well-known figure in the world of top-level rock climbing, before expanding his focus to more ambitious mountain projects. Among his most notable achievements, Enzo Oddo completed several 9a routes in 2009, including "San Ku Kaï," "PuntX," and "Chocholocco," when he was only 14 years old. In 2010, he reached a new milestone with *Biographie* at Céüse, a legendary 9a+ ​​route. He then confirmed this level with "Aubade direct" and "La Moustache Qui Fâche," followed by "La Rambla" at Siurana, also graded 9a+. He also made first ascents such as "Salida del Sol" at Cantobre and "Esclatamaster" at Perles, demonstrating his versatility in repeating extreme classics and creating new lines. In addition to sport climbing, Enzo Oddo has distinguished himself in bouldering, notably with the repeat of "Ambrosia" at Bishop, a V11 highball that garnered considerable attention for its commitment and height. The videos and profiles published about him often highlight his technical skill, his ability to read the rock, and his relaxed approach to difficulty—qualities that have contributed to his reputation as a “prodigy” of French climbing. His profile thus reveals a well-rounded climber, capable of excelling on overhangs as well as slabs and committing boulder problems. In addition to his repeats of multi-pitch routes, Enzo Oddo has also distinguished himself in establishing new lines and making first ascents, seeking out new routes in wilder and more challenging environments. Among his achievements are first ascents in Greenland with Siebe Vanhee during the “Big Walls Big Seas” expedition with Lionel Daudet and Isabelle Autissier in 2016, a testament to his taste for exploration and adventure terrain, where difficulty is not limited to the grade but also includes commitment, isolation, and the raw beauty of the place. In mountaineering, Enzo Oddo has also undertaken very high-level projects at altitude, notably with Léo Billon on the first free ascent of the Lafaille route on the Petit Dru, a major 1,000-meter alpine line with sections up to 8b+. This achievement confirms his transition from a mere crag climbing prodigy to an athlete capable of tackling very serious mountain walls. It also illustrates a career progression towards more demanding objectives, combining pure difficulty, endurance, and management of the alpine environment.