Breaking News: Indonesian Climber Kiromal Katibin Sets blazing 4.87s Record; Advances to Bali World Cup Finals Despite Fall; Ukraine’s Ilchyshyn and Sam Watson (USA) Also Secure Top Spots; Singapore’s Leuwe Exceeds Expectations in Speed Climbing Debut
Headline: Speed Climbing Blazes Ahead: Katibin Leads, Singapore Rises in Bali World Cup
Indonesia’s Katibin Sets the Pace with Sub-5 Second Run
The men’s Speed climbing semi-finals in Bali sizzled with intensity, and Indonesia’s Kiromal Katibin set the bar high with a blistering 4.87-second run. The 21-year-old phenom, who claimed his first World Cup victory just last month, endured a slip in his second attempt but remained undeterred. "I feel good," Katibin said, reflecting on his performance. "I enjoyed it, got a fast time under five seconds, and I’m really excited for the finals."
Sub-5 Second Club Grows; Olympic Champion Leonardo Advances
Katibin wasn’t the only climber to break the coveted 5-second barrier. Sam Watson from the USA and another Indonesian climber, Raharjati Nursamsa, also Joined the exclusive sub-5 club, clocking in at 4.93 and 4.95 seconds respectively. Leonardo Basawa, the reigning Olympic Champion, also secured his spot in the finals, finishing sixth with a time of 5.12 seconds.
Ukrainian Trio Books Finals Spot; French Climber Sets Qualifying Time
The Ukrainian contingent made a strong showing, with Hryhorii Ilchyshyn, Yaroslav Tkach, and Kostianyn Pavlenko all punching their tickets to the finals. Ilchyshyn, who earned his first World Cup medal in Wujiang last year, led the charge with a time of 5.12 seconds. Meanwhile, Pierre Rebreyend from France set the bar for qualifying times, posting a 5.26-second run.
Singapore’s Rising Stars: Progress on the World Stage
While Singapore’s climbers missed out on the finals, their progress is a story worth telling. Andre Ho Jin Rui set a new national record, and Ezell Qing Wei Low saw significant improvements despite taking up the sport only last year. Low, who slipped on both runs in his World Cup debut in Wujiang, was thrilled with his progress, saying, "To be here [in Bali] is crazy."
Men’s Finals Contenders
Here are the 16 climbers who have made the cut for the men’s Speed finals:
- Kiromal KATIBIN (INA) – 4.87
- Samuel WATSON (USA) – 4.93
- Rahajati NURSAMSA (INA) – 4.95
- CHU Shouhong (CHN) – 5.04
- Hryhorii ILCHYSHYN (UKR) – 5.12
- Veddriq LEONARDO (INA) – 5.12
- Yaroslav TKACH (UKR) – 5.16
- LONG Jianguo (CHN) – 5.16
- Amir MAIMURATOV (KAZ) – 5.16
- … (Remaining qualifiers not listed)
FAQ Section
Q: Which climber set the fastest time in the semi-finals?
A: Kiromal Katibin from Indonesia set the fastest time with a blistering 4.87-second run.
Q: Who are the Ukrainian climbers who qualified for the finals?
A: Hryhorii Ilchyshyn, Yaroslav Tkach, and Kostianyn Pavlenko
Q: Which Singaporean climber set a new national record?
A: Andre Ho Jin Rui
Did you know?
Speed climbing is one of the three disciplines in competitive sport climbing, alongside Bouldering and Lead climbing. It tests athletes’ power, precision, and discipline in a thrilling race against the clock.
Pro Tip
For those looking to improve their Speed climbing times, consistency is key. Regular training, focusing on both your physical conditioning and mental preparation, can help shave precious seconds off your times.
The Future of Speed Climbing
As seen with Singapore’s rising stars, Speed climbing is gaining traction worldwide. With more competitive events, better training facilities, and increased media attention, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in this high-intensity sport.
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