Fan Jingyue and Zhang Shaoqin of China led the women’s Speed Relay qualification at the World Climbing Series Chongqing 2026, recording the only time below 13 seconds to take first place in 12.98.

Spain’s Leslie Adriana Romero Pérez and Carla Martínez Vidal followed closely in 13.07, while Polish twins Natalia and Aleksandra Kałucka completed the top three in 13.57.

CHINA LEADS A CLOSE WOMEN’S FIELD

Fan and Zhang were the only team to break the 13-second barrier, setting the pace for the eight-team final later today.

Piper Kelly and Sophie Curcio of the USA qualified in eighth place with 15.32 and will face the top-seeded Chinese team in the opening round of the final.

Curcio enjoyed the challenge despite the demanding competition schedule: “Qualification was super fun. I think we’re all super tired from the schedule, but it was really good. I was kind of surprised by how fast I went on my second run, I guess because of the tiredness, but I feel tired when I’m off the wall, but when I’m on the wall, I feel fine.”

The American added that the accumulated fatigue can also sharpen her focus: “At this point of tiredness, I usually can push through because you’re just at that point and you do a pretty short warm-up and you’re just mentally ready to go. Tonight should be really fun.”

INDONESIA BREAKS THE 10-SECOND BARRIER

In the men’s qualification, Indonesia’s Antasyafi Robby Al Hilmi and Raharjati Nursamsa topped the rankings with an impressive 9.82, the only team to dip below the 10-second mark.

China 2, composed of Long Jinbao and Huang, finished second in 10.16, while USA 1 took third through Ben Jennings and Zach Hammer in 10.44.

Indonesia’s top-seeded team will face New Zealand’s Julian David and Ned Johnston in the Round of 16. The New Zealand pair qualified in 16th place with 12.04, setting a new Oceania record on their way into the final.

USA 1’s Ben Jennings and Zach Hammer will be matched against Switzerland’s Sofiane Vial and Gilles Meili in the opening round. The Swiss team qualified 14th in 11.18.

Vial knows the challenge ahead: “We are paired against a really strong team, so we just need to get as fast as we can, we’ll do our best and see how it goes.”

NEXT UP

The two Speed Relay finals will close the World Climbing Series Chongqing 2026, starting tonight at 20:00 (UTC+8:00).

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.