Speed Climbing: Scaling Nearly 30 Meters in Just Over 6 Seconds
The most exciting part of the climbing competition is the speed event — a true battle of speed and adrenaline. Both the preliminary and final rounds of the speed climbing event are completed within a single day. Athletes must scale a nearly 30-meter climbing wall without equipment, demanding exceptional physical strength and endurance.
When the first athlete completed the climb in 10 seconds, the crowd erupted in amazement. “Incredible, wow, unbelievable!” Many had never witnessed such a breathtaking spectacle. One spectator likened the climbers to geckos: “They stick to the wall like geckos and shoot up in an instant — I’ve never seen anything like it.”
The Russian team demonstrated dominant strength in this event. In the women’s speed climbing, all four athletes who advanced to the semifinals were from Russia, with Alina ultimately taking the gold with a time of 9.24 seconds.
The highlight came during the men’s speed event. In the semifinals, Chinese climber Zhong Qixin gripped the wall with all four limbs, pushed off with force, and swiftly ascended over three meters, moving up the wall like a gecko. Suddenly, midway through, his right foot missed a hold, causing him to sway and lose balance. Although he managed to recover, he was unable to defeat his opponent and had to compete for third place. Fortunately, in the battle for third, he regained momentum and clinched the position with a time of 6.86 seconds — even faster than the silver medalist, Rauli (7.28 seconds). The gold went to world No. 1 Dmitrii Timofeev, who finished in 6.47 seconds.
Bouldering Event: All Athletes Failed on Route 3
The bouldering competition began at 5 p.m. “This course should be quite challenging — it won’t be easy for athletes to complete smoothly,” the commentator warned before the start. Five minutes before the event, the brand-new routes were unveiled. A staff member explained, “After yesterday’s competition, the route setters made some adjustments, mainly to Route 3. Routes 4 and 5 were merged into a new Route 4.”
As expected, competitors faced greater difficulty than the previous day. All athletes failed to complete the ultra-difficult Route 3 — a rare occurrence in past competitions. Even Jakob Schubert, the world No. 1 boulderer from Austria, couldn’t conquer Route 3. After failing, he threw his chalk bag in frustration and muttered curses. However, Schubert performed exceptionally well on Routes 2 and 4, completing both in one attempt, which helped him secure the overall bouldering title.
In the women’s division, athletes from Asia showcased strong performances. Japanese climber Akiyo Noguchi, Austrian climber Anna Stöhr, and South Korean climber JaYoung Kim claimed the top three spots. According to the commentator, the Chongqing World Cup is considered one of the more significant events in climbing history. “Because this time, the bouldering Route 3 was the hardest, and Route 4 was the longest.”
Rock Climbing Has Become a Fashionable Sport
The two-day competition has concluded, and most spectators who watched the event live were undoubtedly left in awe. In fact, rock climbing has also become a popular activity among urban professionals. Though Chongqing has relatively few artificial climbing walls, those passionate about the sport can still practice it at home or indoors.
Safety First When Practicing Climbing
Ding Xianghua, Director of Mountaineering and Climbing at the Chinese Mountaineering Association, stated that climbing is an excellent sport. Currently, overall climbing standards are higher in Eastern and Northern Europe. “Russia places great emphasis on climbing, with solid training systems — something we can learn from. Our athletes have improved through competitive experience, but daily training still needs enhancement, especially for young climbers who are mostly students. Balancing academics with training is an issue worth studying.”
After witnessing the event, many spectators were eager to try climbing. Luo Chao, a representative of the event organizers, said: “Our public experience zone was well-received. Many people hope to keep the climbing wall there — the public was clearly impressed.” If you’re interested in climbing, experts emphasize that safety comes first. Even without outdoor facilities, you can practice at home.
Climbing Is a Global Trend, But Safety Gear Is Non-Negotiable
In the West, climbing is a wildly popular sport. Many adventurers even prefer free soloing — climbing without ropes or helmets. Of course, this has led to dozens of climbing-related fatalities in the West every year. “So, safe climbing doesn’t encourage such extremes. Your climbing gear protects your life,” said Alina, the women’s champion, in an interview.
In China, climbers haven’t dared to forgo safety measures. On artificial walls, at least one belayer provides support from behind. For outdoor climbing, essentials like helmets, carabiners, and safety slings are absolutely necessary.
Beginners Should Start With Bouldering, Twice a Week
According to reports, Chongqing currently has around 1,000 climbing enthusiasts. Climber Mr. Huang, who has been practicing for about five years, often trains at North City Paradise in Jiangbei and some private clubs. He said: “Climbing isn’t really a high-risk activity. Since I started, aside from a minor ankle sprain, I haven’t had any serious injuries.”
Through his climbing journey, Mr. Huang shared valuable insights: “Climbing truly builds mental resilience. Each route requires different balance and explosive power, and the thrill of constantly overcoming challenges is hard to describe unless you’ve experienced it yourself.”
For beginners, upper body strength is particularly important. Weak arms can lead to quick fatigue, making it difficult to maintain balance no matter how strong your legs are. Therefore, it’s essential to strengthen your arms along with your ankles, toes, and legs, allowing your body’s center of gravity to adjust fluidly with your movements. This ensures smooth coordination between hands and feet. “Additionally, beginners can start with bouldering to get a feel for the sport — twice a week is ideal.”
Don’t Assume Climbing Is Only for Men — Many Women and Kids Love It Too