When Sam Watson set a speed climbing world record of 4.75 seconds in the Parisian suburbs, where a temporary climbing wall has been installed for the Olympics, he became the owner of a unique sporting accolade. “That’s a cool title, no one can take that away I suppose.”For those spectating at a speed climbing event, a moment’s distraction can prove costly. Watson set the previous speed climbing world record of 4.79 seconds at a World Cup event in China earlier this year, before Indonesia’s Veddriq Leonardo matched that time in Tuesday’s heats. “But I did go a lot faster in practice and I did have the idea that it was possible [to get a world record]. Speed climbing is considered a different skill to lead and bouldering, and mastering all three is a near-impossible task.

Source: CNN August 06, 2024 23:32 UTC