Veddriq Leonardo of Indonesia secured a historic victory in the men’s speed climbing event at the Paris Games, clinching the gold medal in a thrilling final showdown with China’s Wu Peng. Leonardo's remarkable performance saw him scale the 15-meter wall in a personal-best time of 4.75 seconds, edging out Wu by a mere 0.02 seconds. This triumph marked Indonesia's first gold medal at the Paris Games, adding to the nation's sporting achievements.
Meanwhile, Sam Watson of the USA continued to make waves at the Paris Games by setting a new world record in men’s speed climbing and claiming the bronze medal. The 18-year-old prodigy from Texas had entered the competition as the world record holder with a time of 4.79 seconds. However, Watson surpassed his own record not once but twice during the event.
Watson initially broke the world record on Tuesday with a remarkable time of 4.75 seconds. In a stunning display of skill and determination, he further improved his record on Thursday, clocking an astonishing time of 4.74 seconds. This exceptional performance allowed Watson to outpace Iran’s Reza Ali Pour and secure the bronze medal, solidifying his status as a rising star in the world of speed climbing.
