Speed climbing: world record
Speed climbing American Sam Watson has set a world record for the fastest speed climb in the sport at the Paris OlympicsAn 18-year-old from Texas in the US can lay claim to the record for the fastest Olympian climb, at least when it comes to vertical travel.
Sam Watson has now become the owner of a unique sporting honour by climbing a world record in 4.75 seconds at the Paris Olympics where a temporary climbing wall has been set up. Watson told about the record he has made, "I think 4.75 seconds is the shortest record made for any timed sport in this Olympics. It is a very impressive title. I don't think anyone can take this title away from me." For those watching speed climbing, a moment's distraction can prove to be very costly. If the athlete gets 5 seconds, he can cross a 15-metre wall and climb several holds towards the red buzzer at the top of the route. In this sport of speed climbing, the rapid reaction muscle fibres move at a rapid speed. If your foot slips in this competition or due to a momentary lapse in concentration, the athlete can be out of the competition. Sam Watson had earlier also made a record in his name in China. Watson had set a world record by speed climbing with 4.79 in the World Cup event in 2014. Earlier, Watson had equaled that time in Tuesday's heat and he was from Indonesia, but Watson showed his speed in the next round.
In this sport, not only running is required but also defeating your opponent in a one-on-one race. If someone runs slower, then he can also get a place in the next round. You just have to press the red buzzer on the wall before the person next to you.
Watson said that I want to do speed climbing as much as I can and want to reach the top of the podium. When I was practicing it, I was very fast in it and I felt that making a world record is possible.
Watson says that I told myself that if I take the image I have made of an athlete to the Olympics, then it will be possible.
So that I can go there and make a world record in the Olympic Games and have a good experience of my life. This will be a very good thing for me.
Sport speed climbing made its debut three years ago at the Tokyo Olympics, which controversially combined the three disciplines of speed bouldering and lead into one medal event.
Speed climbing is considered a separate skill from lead and bouldering, and it is impossible to master all three.
Czech Adam Ondra, considered one of the greatest all-around climbers in the world, described the previous format as a circus as he struggled to understand the process of climbing the wall as fast as possible.
The format changed at the Paris Olympics, with speed climbing now being one medal event, and lead and bouldering a second medal event.
The men's final speedway will be held on Thursday and the women's on Wednesday in Bourget. Poland's Aleksandra Miroslaw
She has broken her own record twice earlier this week, clocking 6.24 and 6.06 seconds in the heats
When Sam Watson was asked if he thought he was the fastest, Watson said, "There is no doubt about it. My goal is to run, to reach the top of the podium and make a record. I can do it." Watson said he grew up in South Texas, a short-heighted man who put in a lot of effort and hard work to climb whatever he could find and put himself in danger.
His parents took him to a local climbing gym
and from there he decided and his progress was rapid.
He became the youngest World Cup winner in history when he won a medal at the 2022 World Cup at the age of 16 and then set a speed record in the US the very next year.
Winning the Pan American Games earned Watson a spot on the American team for the Paris Olympics and he has now entered the finals as one of the favorites to win gold.
Sam Watson said that participating in the Olympics is one of the most favorite experiences of my life.
Being part of the US team and seeing my childhood idols means a lot to me. These Olympics are an incredible experience and I am really enjoying it.
Along with speed climbing, Watson is also a chess player and loves learning new languages. He has also learned the Indonesian language, which is also the nationality of many of the world's top speed climbers.
When Sam Watson celebrated and won the title in the blink of an eye for the whole world, he celebrated by shaking his fists while slowly descending the climb and has confirmed his place in the last eight.
Speed climbing Wall
The speed climbing wall is 15 meters long and has an overhang of 5 degrees. It has two types of equal lanes.
Athletes are tied to a rope hanging from the top of the wall. Climbers begin their timed climb by placing their foot on a timing plate.
What is speed climbing
Speed climbing is an Olympic climbing discipline in which speed is the ultimate goal. Speed climbing is performed on rocks, walls and caves and is mostly recommended for experienced climbers. Competition speed climbing is performed on an artificial and standardized climbing wall.