China completed a golden finale to the Chinese leg of the World Climbing Series 2026, with Fan Jingyue and Zhang Shaoqin claiming the women’s Speed Relay title on the final day of Chongqing 2026. The victory gave the home team a second gold medal in Chongqing, and a fifth across the two-event Speed doubleheader that began one week earlier in Guiyang.

CHINA CLAIMS ANOTHER HOME GOLD

Fan and Zhang entered the women’s final as the top seeds after leading qualification, and were the only team to break the 13-second barrier. They repeated that feat twice, clocking 12.97 in both the semi-final and gold medal race.

The victory also marked a second consecutive women's Speed Relay gold for Fan and Zhang, who had won the same event one week earlier at the World Climbing Series Guiyang 2026.

"I'm gald we won another gold medal in my hometown, I'm very proud of being part of this team," said Fan.

"We believe in each other and enjoy every climb together," added Zhang when asked what was the secret behind their success.

The Chinese pair defeated Indonesia’s Adi Asih Kadek and Rajiah Sallsabillah, who finished with the silver medal around their neck in 15.30.

Italy’s Giulia Randi and Beatrice Colli claimed bronze in 13.08, lowering the European record by one hundredth of a second. France’s Louise Fontaine and Capucine Viglione finished fourth in 13.77.

UKRAINE TAKES MEN’S GOLD AFTER RECORD-BREAKING RUN

Ukraine’s Hryhorii Ilchyshyn and Yaroslav Tkach delivered a spectacular run through the men’s bracket, also setting two European records on their way to the gold medal.

The Ukrainian pair first lowered the continental benchmark to 10.26 in the quarter-final against top-seeded China 1, before improving it again to 10.03 in the decisive gold medal race against Samuel Watson and Zach Hammer of the USA.

"It is a very important win for us and for our country," commented Ilchyshyn.

"It has been very tough to compete in Guiyang and Chongqing," added his teammate. "I competed all three days at both events, mentally it was very tiring, I gave everything I had and we finally deserved a medal. We are super happy."

The American pair had reached the final after an extraordinary semi-final in which they equalled the world record with 9.58. Their bid for gold, however, ended with a false start from the second-leg climber, leaving them without a valid time in the medal race and securing silver.

China 2’s Long Jinbao and Huang Jingjie took bronze after defeating Kazakhstan’s Rashid and Rishat Khaibullin 10.11 to 10.41.

THE SERIES MOVES TO THE AMERICAS

Day three in Chongqing brought the Chinese Speed doubleheader to a close after two weeks of competition in Guiyang and Chongqing, with the World Climbing Series 2026 now moving to the Americas for the final two events of the season.

The World Climbing Series Salt Lake City 2026 will take place from 16 to 18 October, followed by the World Climbing Series Santiago 2026 from 23 to 25 October. The two events will decide five of the six season trophies, with Japan’s Anraku Sorato having already secured the men’s Boulder title.

News and updates about all World Climbing events will be available on the World Climbing website, and on the Federation’s digital channels: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, and exclusively for the Chinese audience, Douyin, Weibo, and Xiaohongshu.