“Indonesian Rock Climbing Wins Gold and Bronze Medals at 2023 IFSC Climbing World Cup”

Jakarta –

Indonesian rock climbing won one gold medal and one bronze medal at the 2023 IFSC Climbing World Cup, South Korea. The Rock Climbing World Cup medals were won by Veddriq Leonardo and Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi.

As is known, the Indonesian Rock Climbing Federation (FPTI) fielded 9 athletes consisting of 6 male and 3 female climbers to take part in the World Cup in the speed category in Seoul, South Korea. The event took place from April 28 to 30. Special speed has taken place on Friday, yesterday.

From this competition, Indonesia was able to win two medals. Gold was presented by Veddriq in the men’s speed number. While bronze was given by Made for the women’s speed number.

However, Vedrriq’s success in the men’s speed number did not only consist in winning a gold medal. He also broke the record as the fastest man in the world after posting a time of under 5 seconds or 4.98 seconds in qualifying. The previous record was held by Kiromal Katibin when he appeared at the IFSC World Cup in Chamonix, France, on July 8 2022. He recorded a time of 5 seconds.

While in the final round, Veddriq scored a time of 5.01 seconds. He defeated the domination of China, which was in second, third and fourth place on behalf of Jinbao Long (5.12 seconds), Conshang Wang (5.11 seconds in the semifinals), and Jianguo Long (6.37 seconds).

Meanwhile, women’s speed athletes Desak Made Rita and Rajiah Sallsabilah finished third best after recording a time of 6.60 seconds.

The top two ranks were won by two Polish athletes, Alexandra Miroslaw, a gold medalist who recorded a time of 6.25 seconds, as well as a world record. Meanwhile, Natalia Kalucka won the silver medal with a time of 6.67 seconds in the final round.

FPTI General Chair Yenny Wahid said this success spurred the enthusiasm of the Indonesian team in looking at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Definitely (increasing motivation towards the Paris Olympics). Since yesterday we have always emphasized to them (the athletes) that all of this is a process towards the Olympics. And the Olympics is the real size,” said Yenny when contacted detikSport.

For this reason, Yenny hopes that her athletes can continue to develop themselves considering that the opponents they will face in the Olympics are relatively strong.

“The opponent is strong and there are indeed concerns too. The speed number is still a mainstay. The lead and boulder are still being processed and hopefully it can be at the Los Angeles Olympics (2028),” he said.

The next 2023 Rock Climbing World Cup Series will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia on May 6-7. This is the third series of the IFSC Climbing World Cup 2023 after starting in Japan and then South Korea.

(mcy/krs)