American sensation Sam Watson made history on Tuesday, breaking the world record in the thrilling yet contentious Olympic sport of speed climbing. The 18-year-old clocked an astonishing 4.75 seconds, surpassing his previous record of 4.79 set earlier this year.
Unlike the combined sport climbing event introduced in the Tokyo Olympics, which amalgamated bouldering, lead climbing, and speed, Paris 2024 has separated these disciplines into distinct medal categories. This decision addressed criticisms that the previous format unfairly combined vastly different skill sets.
Speed climbing is a high-octane spectacle where two athletes race side-by-side to ascend a 15-meter wall as quickly as possible. It’s a test of pure athleticism and explosive power, demanding a unique skill set compared to the technical challenges of bouldering and lead climbing.
Watson’s record-breaking performance underscores the intense competition in this rapidly evolving sport. As he advances to the quarterfinals, all eyes will be on the young climber to see if he can maintain his dominance and clinch the gold medal.
