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21st Century Adventurer Award
With this award, we celebrate the most inspiring adventurers of our time, and you help decide which nominee wins!
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Select your favorite adventurer
DEFENDER and EOFT proudly present the 2024 award winner
Nasim Eshqi
Climber and Human rights activist
The Iranian sports scientist has ascended to the highest ranks of the world's top female athletes and has opened more than 80 new climbing routes worldwide. This was more than a fight against gravity. She has become a champion for women's rights.
The award was presented to Nasim Eshqi on June 4, 2024 at the Outdoor by ISPO trade fair. She gave a presentation and answered questions from both the press and the public.
![](https://cn.eoft.eu/media/pages/win/adventurer-award/1b20b23b97-1717660075/ar502064-570x321-crop-50-50.jpg)
![](https://cn.eoft.eu/media/pages/win/adventurer-award/fc3bf7cab7-1717660075/ar502109-570x321-crop-50-50.jpg)
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That's what the jury says:
"I give my voice [...] to the Iranian Nasim Eshqi, who, by positioning herself as a climbing woman from Iran, has found a way to encourage oppressed women all over the world through sport. Leaving home behind, a return impossible... This requires indescribable courage in a time marked by crises and wars, when human dignity should be paramount. For me, Nasim embodies a contemporary successful top athlete, with heart and a lot of soul."
β Ines Papert, jury member of the 21st Century Adventurer Award 2024
βNasim Eshqi is not just an athlete; she is a pioneer in the world of climbing, having opened more than 80 climbing routes. Her dedication to pushing the boundaries of what is possible is matched only by her commitment to using her platform to advocate for gender equality and human rights. In a sport and society where female athletes often face significant barriers, Nasim has risen as one of the world's leading female climbers, inspiring countless others with her courage and perseverance.
Her achievements extend far beyond the sheer number of routes she has opened. They are a testament to her innovative spirit, her unwavering determination, and her profound impact on the climbing community and beyond. Nasim's story is one of overcoming adversity, challenging the status quo, and inspiring a new generation of adventurers.β
β Mathis Dumas, jury member of the 21st Century Adventurer Award 2024
"βI never wanted to be famous, I just wanted to climb to have that feeling of freedom that was missing from my lifeβ.
This sentence could be the meaning and motivation of many great climbers and adventurers, but in Nasim Eshqi's case it is also a dramatic example of personal fate and a social struggle for freedom at the same time. As an Iranian, she defies the mullah regime with her unwavering commitment to human rights and equality for women. And as a climber, she continues to show new ways and facets in a sport discipline that is still very much dominated by men.
She is a fascinating adventurer who is constantly seeking the freedom of her own path in life through climbing and is therefore an encouraging role model for millions of young women, not only in Iran. Truly a very special heroine in the circle of 21st Century Adventurer Award winners!"
β Thomas Witt, jury member of the 21st Century Adventurer Award 2024
![Defender car at night](https://cn.eoft.eu/media/pages/win/adventurer-award/74ef7dfe1d-1695284761/druck-eoft-basecamp-keyvisual-1408x-600x.jpg)
All winners of the 21st Century Adventurer Award
Winner 2024
Nasim Eshqi
Climber and Human rights activist
The Iranian sports scientist has ascended to the highest ranks of the world's top female athletes and has opened more than 80 new climbing routes worldwide. This was more than a fight against gravity. She has become a champion for women's rights.
![](https://cn.eoft.eu/media/pages/win/adventurer-award/7a71aaa1ae-1717534792/nasim_eshqi_portrait-713x713-crop-50-50.jpg)
![](https://cn.eoft.eu/media/pages/win/adventurer-award/1635b3e822-1717534791/21st_century_adventurer_2023_winner_1920x1080_-c-_markus_weinberg-713x713-crop-50-50.jpg)
Winner 2023
Jonas Deichmann
Endurance athlete & cycling adventurer
From manager to adventurer: a few years ago, Jonas swapped his office chair for a bicycle saddle and crossed Europe and South America, among other places, on his bike. Most recently, he set a new world record in the disciplines of swimming, cycling and running. In his triathlon around the world, he covered the distance of 120 Ironman.
He receives the 21st Century Adventurer Award 2023.
Winner 2021
Renan Ozturk
Filmmaker & alpinist
Starting out as a climber, Renan Ozturk found his true calling when he first picked up a camera.
Since then, the photographer and filmmaker has documented stories in the most remote corners of the world for award-winning films.
He will receive the 21st Century Adventurer Award 2021 for his work.
![Renan Ozturk on a snowy mountain](https://cn.eoft.eu/media/pages/win/adventurer-award/c75e02e466-1717534791/eoft2021_21stcaa_05_lowres_nominee_renan_ozturk-713x713-crop-57-42.png)
![Sarah McNair-Landry in the arctic](https://cn.eoft.eu/media/pages/win/adventurer-award/dbbdd3196f-1694180652/sarah-1408x-713x713-crop-29-31.jpg)
Winner 2019
Sarah McNair-Landry
Adventurer & Master Polar Guide
The Canadian polar explorer was chosen by the jury to win the first ever 21st Century Adventurer Award.
Sarah grew up with the Arctic Ocean and a team of dogs in her backyard. She is the youngest person to travel to both the North and South Pole, traverse the Greenland Ice Cap five times, venture into the Gobi Desert, guide an expedition to both the South and North Pole, and more recently kite ski 3,300 km retracing the Northwest Passage.
Being the winner of the 21st Century Adventurer Award 2019, Sarah was part of the E.O.F.T. 19/20 with the film "Freedom to Roam".
Gallery of adventurers
Gallery of all nominees and winners of the 21st Century Adventurer Award.
About the award
With this award, we celebrate the most inspiring adventurers of our time!
In the saddle of a touring bike, clicked into backcountry skis, or sending a line up a rock faceβthe nominees of this year's award find their own way into adventure. They confront physical and mental challenges and experience unforgettable moments. Whether setting new records on a bike, on foot, or in the water, these adventurers of the 21st century are characterized by their curiosity, their courage, and their gift for sharing their unique journeys with us. These touching stories inspire us to seek and find our own adventures!
The 21st Century Adventurer Award comes with a prize of 20,000 euros, which can be used to fund the next expedition.
Above and Beyond
Defender
Since 1948 Land Rover has engineered and produced authentic all-terrain vehicles. Across the world Land Rover has made a distinctive name for itself by virtue of its all-terrain excellence and an unrivalled performance across all models.
Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Evoque define the SUV sector worldwide. 80 percent of this model range are exported to more than 100 countries. Since the model year 2018 the broad array of engines is complemented by a newly developed plug-in hybrid engine (PHEV) combining a petrol and an electric motor. Since June 2020 Land Rover celebrates the new edition of their icon β the Defender. Also available as a plug-in hybrid.