Leonardo Wins Historic Speed Gold and Watson Sets World Record at Paris 2024
Veddriq Leonardo of Indonesia won the inaugural men’s Speed gold medal at Paris 2024, while USA’s Sam Watson captured bronze after setting a new world record. Leonardo finished with a time of 4.75 seconds, just ahead of Wu Peng from China, who secured silver. The event marked a significant evolution of sport climbing following its debut at the previous Olympics.
In an extraordinary performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Indonesia’s Veddriq Leonardo clinched the first-ever men’s Speed gold medal in sport climbing. Following in the footsteps of Poland’s Aleksandra Mirosław, who secured the women’s Speed gold, Leonardo established Indonesia’s historic first gold medal at these Games. USA’s Sam Watson also made headlines by breaking his own world record, securing the bronze medal with a remarkable climb.
The competition’s intensity was evident as Watson narrowly lost his semi-final matchup against China’s Wu Peng but redeemed himself in the bronze match. There, he clocked a stunning time of 4.74 seconds, surpassing his prior record. Leonardo showcased exceptional prowess, winning gold with a personal best of 4.75 seconds, edging out Wu by just 0.02 seconds, who took silver.
Leonardo expressed profound joy after his victory, stating, “I feel so amazing. This was always my dream, and today I made my dream come true. All of Indonesia is proud of this gold medal.” His accomplishment highlighted the evolution of Speed climbing, which was previously combined in a different format at Tokyo 2020. This year’s separation allowed Speed specialists to shine individually.
Sport climbing made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 as a combined event, but at Paris 2024, Speed climbing became a distinct category. This modification enabled athletes, particularly those specializing in Speed climbing, to showcase their talents more effectively. The competition has seen a significant evolution in techniques and records, illustrating the rapid advancement in the sport over the last couple of years, culminating in electrifying performances at the current Olympics.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games have marked a significant milestone in the history of sport climbing, particularly with Veddriq Leonardo’s illustrious victory as the first men’s Speed gold medalist. Sam Watson’s remarkable achievement in breaking the world record further emphasizes the sport’s rapid development. With these achievements, both athletes have heightened the excitement surrounding sport climbing on a global stage and inspired future generations of climbers.
Original Source: www.olympics.com
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