A brand new team format debuted with world records and thrilling finals in at The World Games Chengdu 2025.
The curtain came down on the Climbing programme at The World Games Chengdu 2025 with the first-ever Speed Relay finals, a new format making its international debut. The night delivered high-paced entertainment, and a flurry of world and continental records across both the men’s and women’s events.
CHINA GETS THE GOLD, USA THE WORLD RECORD
Chu Shouhong and Long Jianguo of China powered to gold in the men’s Speed Relay, stopping the clock at 10.26 to beat Michael Hom and Logan Schlecht of the USA, who secured silver with a time of 10.55 – their best lap of the final.
In the bronze medal race, Zach Hammer and Samuel Watson of the USA set a new world record of 10.06, besting Indonesia’s Veddriq Leonardo and Alfian Muhammad Fajri, who placed fourth with 10.93.
For the men’s Speed Relay complete results click here.
DENG AND ZHOU WIN CHINESE DERBY
China doubled up in the women’s Speed Relay, with Deng Lijuan and Zhou Yafei triumphing in an all-Chinese gold medal race against Qin Yumei and Zhang Shaoqin. Deng and Zhou took the win in 13.35, while their teammates followed in 13.76.
The bronze medal went to South Korea’s Jeong Jimin and Sung Hanareum, who clocked 13.79 to defeat Indonesia’s Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi and Rajiah Sallsabillah, fourth with 14.84. Deng and Zhou also set a new world record earlier in the semi-final, beating Jeong and Sung with 13.28.
For the women’s Speed Relay complete results click here.
FULL LIST OF CONTINENTAL RECORDS SET IN CHENGDU
Along with the fastest times ever set by Hammer and Watson in the men’s Relay, and Deng and Zhou in the women’s one, a full set of new continental bests has also been recorded in Chengdu. The records are as follows.
Men’s records:
- African record: Josh Bruyns, John-David Muller (RSA) with 13.88
- Asian record: Chu Shouhong, Long Jianguo (CHN) with 10.11
- European record: Leander Carmanns, Sebastian Lucke (GER) with 10.63
- Oceanian record: Julian David, Ned Johnston (NZL) with 16.94
- Pan American record: Sam Watson, Zach Hammer (USA) with 10.06
Women’s records:
- African record: Aniya Holder, Tegwen Oates (RSA) with 23.04
- Asian record, also world record: Deng Lijuan, Zhou Yafei (CHN) with 13.28
- European record: Beatrice Colli, Giulia Randi (ITA) with 14.47
- Oceanian record: Abby Gebert, Jorja Rangi (NZL) with 17.68
- Pan American record: Emma Hunt, Sophie Curcio (USA) with 14.52
MEDAL TABLE DOMINANCE
China closed The World Games Chengdu 2025 Climbing programme with an outstanding tally of five gold medals out of the six on offer. The only exception was Indonesia’s Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi, who claimed victory in the women’s Speed 4 event, adding to her nation’s proud tradition in the discipline.
The medal table of Climbing events at Chengdu 2025 is as follows:
| NATION | GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | TOTAL |
| China | 5 | 3 | 2 | 10 |
| Indonesia | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| USA | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Kazakhstan | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| South Korea | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 6 | 6 | 6 | 18 |
NEXT UP
The IFSC World Cup Series 2025 will resume in early September, awarding Lead and Speed title at the two final events of the season: the IFSC Climbing World Cup Koper 2025, scheduled on Friday 5 and Saturday 6, and the IFSC Climbing World Cup Guiyang 2025, taking place one week later.
News and updates about the event will be available on the IFSC website and on the Federation’s digital channels: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, and exclusively for the Chinese audience, Bilibili, Douyin, Weibo, and Xiaohongshu.
