From October 17-18, the 2015 IFSC Climbing World Cup (Wujiang Stop) was grandly held in Fenhu, Wujiang, Jiangsu Province.Nearly 100 athletes from 19 countries and regions, including Austria, Germany, France, Spain, Slovenia, Japan, South Korea, Iran, and China, competed on-site for the titles in the men's and women's lead and speed climbing events. This stop was the final leg of the IFSC Speed Climbing World Cup.Athletes from all countries gave their all in this competition, aiming to bring the year’s events to a perfect close.Earlier, in the previous four stops, Zhong Qixin, captain of the Chinese National Climbing Team and a signed athlete of KAILAS, had already secured three consecutive victories (Canada, Chongqing, and Haiyang) and one third-place finish (France), thereby locking in the 2015 IFSC Speed Climbing World Cup Overall Championship ahead of schedule.
Award ceremony at the 2015 IFSC Climbing World Cup
Zhong Qixin holding the Annual Overall Champion trophy
Zhong Qixin cutting a celebration cake prepared by KAILAS with his coach and family
Achieving the dream of a climbing Grand Slam, Zhong Qixin has been immersed in the climbing world for about a decade. The year 2015was not only the first ten years of his climbing journey but also a year of harvest. Throughout the climbing competitions of that year, he overcame numerous challenges and continuously broke historical records. Alongside countless flowers and applause, he also gained a more mature strength. If climbing was his interest and professional strength over the past ten years, then in the next ten, twenty, or even more years, climbing holds more meaning for him—it is now a responsibility. It is the responsibility of carrying the banner of Chinese climbing, and the responsibility of representing Chinese athletes to compete for the sports world and the nation.
Zhong Qixin poses for a photo with his coaching team and national teammates
On the evening of October 19, at the invitation of sponsor KAILAS, Zhong Qixin came to Shanghai to share his ten-year climbing journey with fans, telling the untold stories behind his success.
Zhong Qixin sharing session at the KAILAS store
Zhong Qixin with his newlywed wife Men Li
In Zhong Qixin’s view,climbing is a sport where both innate talent and hard work play a role. To achieve extraordinary results, aside from some luck, an athlete’s inherent talent is essential. But talent alone won’t make the championship fall from the sky.
Therefore, having a good coach and a high level of dedication is particularly important. Zhong Qixin was trained by his mentor Ding Chengliang, who guided him onto the path of climbing. It was also Ding’s ability to teach according to individual strengths that allowed Zhong to perform at his best during competitions. Coupled with his own talent, ten years of day-in and day-out training, and a stable mindset, defending the overall annual championship came naturally.
Compared to Zhong Qixin’s personal achievements, the overall development level of Chinese climbing and its athletes remains uneven. How to promote the development of domestic climbing and popularize climbing culture is something Zhong Qixin has always considered. Signing with the professional outdoor brand KAILAS was also due to its resources and comprehensive strength.At the same time, he also hopesto leverage his influence and appeal to do more for the promotion of climbing in China, which aligns perfectly with KAILAS’s mission to continuously advance the development of climbing in China.
For years, the KAILAS brand has not only strongly supported Zhong Qixin in competing in climbing events around the world, elevating the global presence of Chinese climbing, but also invited Zhong Qixin to serve as the climbing ambassador in the “Climbing Star Hope” national youth climbing promotion activities sponsored by KAILAS. He has inspired and influenced more young people to love the sport, laying a solid foundation for the future of China’s climbing endeavors.
In 2013, after officially becoming the sole supplier of safety equipment and climbing ropes for the IFSC (International Federation of Sport Climbing) official competitions, KAILAS subsequently provided professional equipment to the Chinese National Climbing Team, the American Climbing Association and National Team (USA CLIMBING), the Australian National Climbing Team, and the Junior National Team (SCA). In addition, KAILAS has taken more concrete actions, such as actively responding to the “100,000 Climbers, China Dream” development plan, promoting the “Rock Quest China” public route-setting initiative, and organizing climbing festivals and a series of climbing-related activities, all of which have had a positive and far-reaching impact on the climbing sport. Dream” development plan, promoting the “Rock Quest China” public route-setting initiative, and organizing climbing festivals and a series of climbing-related activities, all of which have had a positive and far-reaching impact on the climbing sport.
In recent years, the development of climbing has made leapfrog progress. One major piece of good news this year is that climbing has become an official event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.And the 2020 Tokyo Olympics alsoplans to addclimbing as an official sport.Zhong Qixin stated that he will continue to participate in training camps and competitions, focus on recovery and rest, reduce injuries, maintain good competitive form, and strive to take part in the first competition after climbing becomes an Asian Games event.
KAILAS presents Zhong Qixin with a commemorative wall hanging
Zhong Qixin takes a group photo with his rock climbing friends.