FIRST PARIS 2024 TICKETS CLAIMED AT SPEED WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The first Climbing tickets to the Paris 2024 were claimed at the IFSC World Championships in Bern, Switzerland, with four Speed climbers set for next summer’s showpiece event.

Italy’s Matteo Zurloni and Indonesia’s Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi took the world titles and with it the Olympic tickets and were joined by China’s Long Jinbao and USA’s Emma Hunt who’s silver also secured their participation.

In his first senior season, Zurloni impressed through the finals rounds with a highlight posting a new European record in the quarter-final.

Up against Long, but knowing he was already on his way to Paris, Zurloni’s world title was secured when his Chinese rival made final false start. He would go on to climb alone in a final procession to the cheering crowd.

Zurloni said: “I don’t really know how to explain. This is my first World Cup year and I am really, really happy that I did well in this competition and make it to the Olympics. I still can’t believe it, it will take a long time to. I’m really happy with my time as well, a personal best, and I’ve never done a 5.0 in a competition before.”

With a silver medal and an Olympic ticket, Long said: “I’m so happy to get the ticket. During the pandemic it was hard to train and thank you to our great nation for giving us the support and thanks to our great team. I’m so excited now and will train hard to get a good result in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”

Third place and the bronze medal went to Indonesia’s Rahmad Adi Mulyono who beat Kazakhstan’s Rishat Khaibullin in the small final.

Full men's Speed results here

Men's Speed podium at the IFSC Climbing World Championships
Photo: Lena Drapella/IFSC

In the women’s Speed, Made Rita Kusuma Dewi claimed her first world title in a tight final match up against Hunt who set a new PanAmerican record of 6.67. The Indonesian climber posted a 6.49.

Made Rita Kusuma Dewi said: “This is my first gold medal in a World Championships and I’m happy because I’ve got a ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympics. This is all because of a great team, Sport Climbing Indonesia, thank you so much. Thank you to my coach, my family, my friends and all the people of Indonesia, thank you for your support.”

Hunt came through a semi-final race against the world record holder Aleksandra Miroslaw of Poland who fell to send Hunt through to the final and claim the Paris 2024 ticket.

Hunt said: “I’m very surprised. It feels like I can now take a breath and finally breathe. I was trying not to expect anything, if it happens it happens, stay in the present moment and just go with it.”

A strong character, Miroslaw picked herself back up from the disappointment of her semi-final to take the bronze medal in a small-final race against her teammate Aleksandra Kalucka.

Full women's Speed results here

Women's Speed podium at the IFSC Climbing World Championships
Photo: Lena Drapella/IFSC