Chris Sharma
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Chris Omprakash Sharma (born 1981) is an American rock climber, with many difficult ascents; among them Realization (5.15a), Necessary Evil (5.14c), The Mandala (V12) and Dreamtime (V15); and competitive bouldering titles.
Raised in Santa Cruz, California, Sharma started climbing when he was 12, and it soon became apparent that he was an exceptional talent. At 14 he won the Bouldering Nationals and in the following year he climbed his first route of the grade 5.14c (Necessary Evil), at the time the highest grade in the American grading system. When he in 2001 completed his long-time project Realization in Ceuse, France, the route was (arguably) the hardest route in the world. Sharma is featured in climbing movies such as "Masters of Stone IV; Pure Force", "Rampage", "Free Hueco", "Dosage vol.1" and "Pilgrimage".
When Sharma won the World Cup of Climbing, it was later recalled after testing positive for THC. Sharma Graciously returned the cup with no hard feelings, knowing full well he is the best, he would rather be disqualified and generate publicity for himself and cannabis than discontinue using marijuana.