Quotes from the athletes at the Speed competition taking place in the Market Grand Square in Kraków Old Town.
The IFSC Climbing World Cup in Kraków, Poland hosted competitors from around the world at this year's fourth Speed World Cup competition. Here’s what some of the top-performing athletes had to say following each round.
SPEED FINALS
Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi of Indonesia—gold medallist in the women's event with 6.27:
“I’m very happy, this is my first gold medal since Bern. In my last competition in Bali I fell in the quarter-final. My coach always tells me to enjoy the competition, and that if I do so, I can improve my personal best in each race. My goal is to set a new world record.”
Raharjati Nursamsa of Indonesia—gold medallist in the men's event with 4.73:
“I feel so happy, it’s my personal best and my first gold medal in two years, I’m not completely satisfied, I will keep enjoy my climbing, enjoy every competition with no pressure.”
SPEED QUALIFICATIONS
Natalia Kalucka of Poland—second in women's event with 6.48:
“After the practice round I had to go back home because it didn’t go well for me. But I spoke with my psychologist after that, and I’m very proud of myself because this competition was very hard for me, mentally and emotionally. Friction is not good on the wall, and to complete the Tomoa Skip is very hard. It was a big challenge today, and I’m very proud of myself.”
Carla Martinez Vidal of Spain—16th in the women's event with 7.16:
"I felt good in my first run, I wanted to set a new personal best, but then I slipped. In the second one I was very determined to make it to the final. I was calm and confident, and I was paired with Ola Miroslaw, which gave me additional motivation.
"I love Krakow, it's amazing. The old town is very nice. I live in Barcelona, and this place has old buidings like Barcelona, which I like... and it is as hot as in Barcelona!"
Michael Hom of the USA—sixth in the men's event with 5.09:
“My first race felt pretty good. I’m okay that I fell in the second one as I was kind of pushing it, because I knew I had a good time in my first one. Recently my goal has been to get a sub-5 in my first run and then push on the second one. I’m feeling pretty good for the final.”
Marcin Dzienski of Poland—38th in the men's event with 5.51:
"I was super happy to compete here in Poland, it's beautiful. I was waiting for my personal best to come, I was ready to do it. Woth this crowd it was possible. But in this sport there is no place for any mistake, so I'm not happy about my performance."
PRE-EVENT
Natalia Kalucka of Poland:
“To be honest I’m a little bit nervous because I want to showcase my level to my home crowd. But I think I am ready because I’ve got a lot of experience in Climbing now.
“I think it will be crazy. I think the crowd is quite specific in Poland, but quite friendly. I think they will give a bit more support to the Polish athletes so it will be a good motivation for us Polish climbers.
“My main goal is to focus on my personal performance. The first part of the season was a little hard for me as I feel I did quite a few little mistakes, so I want to only show the best of me during the competition.”
Samuel Watson of the USA:
“I feel really lucky to be in Poland, it’s a really cool place and it’s my first time in the country. The venue looks amazing. The city of Krakow, walking around, it’s such a cool, old town, and this venue - the square, the backdrop, it all looks amazing.”
