At first glance, it’s hard to associate this compact and sturdy young man with the world champion of rock climbing. But ever since he took up the sport in 2005, Zhong Qixin has achieved a climbing grand slam, winning over 20 world titles and more than 30 other major and minor championships. These include World Games gold, four World Climbing Championships, IFSC Climbing World Cup titles, second place at the World Extreme Games, and breaking his own world record six times within five years. All with just one safety rope, facing the wall—climbing, jumping, shifting, turning—to reach the top in the shortest time possible.He is the Chinese athlete with the most individual world championship titles in non-Olympic sports.
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Photo 1: Zhong Qixin, Captain of the Chinese Climbing Team
“Speed climbing was dominated by the West for over 30 years. Now, I am the world’s first speed climbing grand slam winner, and I’ve broken that monopoly,” said Zhong Qixin confidently. This year, he claimed the overall title at the 2015 IFSC Speed Climbing World Cup, making this young man from Jiangxi the holder of every major global competition title.
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Photo 2: Zhong Qixin in an Intense Competition
Rock climbing is a comprehensive training that requires professional, day-in and day-out practice. After becoming a professional, Zhong Qixin came to understand the meaning of perseverance. Standing just over 1.70 meters tall, he competes evenly against European and American opponents who often exceed 1.90 meters. Because in his view, no matter how difficult it is, you must take on the challenge—the essence of climbing is overcoming obstacles.
In 2007, the rookie Zhong Qixin made his debut at the World Championships and astonishingly broke the world record. When he won his first world title, foreign rivals even taunted him on purpose: “They walked over and said to me, ‘Let’s have another go next time.’ Their mocking tone was filled with genuine disdain. They thought letting an Asian win just once was nothing but a fluke.” But victory after victory proved with results that Asians—and the Chinese—can indeed become world champions in climbing. As Zhong’s life motto goes: “The road to success isn’t crowded, simply because not many people persevere.”
Becoming a Climbing Ambassador
With so many titles under his belt, Zhong Qixin has already proven that Chinese people are fully capable of excelling in climbing. He hopes to help more people learn about it, try it, and fall in love with it.
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Photo 3: Zhong Qixin Competing Against an Opponent
Rock climbing is one of today’s most stylish and thrilling extreme sports, yet it remains relatively unpopular in China. Zhong Qixin believes this is related to cultural traits. There are around 35 million rock climbing enthusiasts in Europe and America, where the culture values challenges—people are willing to try new and thrilling activities. Climbing is just like that—you only truly love it after trying it.
Zhong Qixin says he has already achieved all kinds of records in speed climbing. His next important goal might be using more resources and platforms to promote the sport. Climbing has just been added to the Asian Games, and may be officially included in the Olympics next year. So if he’s still able to compete by then, he hopes to chase another Asian Games or Olympic title. Climbing has officially been included in the 2018 Asian Games, and Zhong Qixin is very likely to participate. Moreover, the 2020 Olympics is expected to add new events, with climbing being one of the five candidate sports. Zhong says chasing an Asian Games or Olympic title is also his dream—standing on the Olympic stage one day would be the greatest motivation for him.
For promoting climbing, Zhong Qixin also has a personal dream: to establish a climbing club in the future, design the walls himself, and personally teach climbing skills. Of course, as captain of the Chinese climbing team, he still faces numerous competitions, and delivering excellent performances in competitions is also a great way to promote the sport.
After Success, Wants to Be with Family
Climbing has brought Zhong Qixin honor after honor, and even his wife is someone he met through the sport. “We got to know each other through climbing, but she’s not an athlete, just a fan. Once when I was competing elsewhere, she heard the Chinese team was there, so she went to watch. That’s how we met.” In Wujiang, Jiangsu, Zhong Qixin claimed the annual championship title. After stepping down from the podium, he got down on one knee and formally proposed to her in a belated marriage proposal.
Zhong Qixin feels he has fought hard for ten years and owes a lot to his family. He said: “I’m very grateful to my wife. This year I got married, and with her constant encouragement and support, I suddenly won the annual championship again. She’s helped me a lot in my life, helped me achieve my dreams.”
In his professional field, Zhong Qixin has achieved great success. But in his wife’s eyes, he’s just a dedicated and loving husband. Family is the energy station and safe haven for a warrior. Zhong Qixin’s greatest wish is to balance career and family in the future, and start a new chapter in life.