Emma Hunt of the USA led the women’s Speed qualification at the World Climbing Series Comunidad de Madrid 2026, setting a new personal best of 6.23 seconds to take first place in Alcobendas, Spain.

Home favourite Leslie Adriana Romero Pérez of Spain delighted the local crowd by finishing second with a personal best of 6.48 seconds, while Natalia Kałucka of Poland secured third place with 6.50 seconds.

CHINA PLACES FOUR CLIMBERS IN WOMEN'S FINAL

China once again demonstrated its depth in Speed Climbing by advancing four athletes into the final phase of competition.

Mou Yuju of China led the Chinese contingent in fifth place with a time of 6.60 seconds, while three teammates also secured places among the top 16: Zhang Shaoqin in sixth place with 6.68, Zhang Mengli in eighth with 6.80, and Qin Yumei in 14th with 7.00.

Despite the qualification cut-off proving slower than at the opening event of the season in Wujiang, China, several established names missed out on a place in the final rounds. The last qualifying time in Alcobendas was 7.07 seconds, compared to 6.67 seconds in Wujiang, yet Zhou Yafei of China narrowly missed progression in 17th place with 7.09 seconds.

Wujiang gold medallist Aleksandra Kałucka of Poland also suffered an early exit. The Polish climber fell in her first run and slipped during her second attempt, finishing 33rd overall.

UKRAINIAN TEENAGER CONTINUES IMPRESSIVE RISE

Polina Khalkevych of Ukraine continued her breakthrough season by qualifying in seventh place with 6.79 seconds. The 18-year-old climber finished 10th at the opening event in Wujiang and will now look to improve on that career-best result in the final rounds later today.

For the women’s Speed complete results click here.

CHINA LEADS THE WAY IN MEN'S ROUND TOO

Ling Yongzhi of China topped the men’s Speed qualification standings with a personal best of 4.89 seconds, leading a strong Chinese team performance in Alcobendas.

China advanced five climbers into the final phase, including reigning world champion Long Jianguo of China, who qualified sixth with 4.96 seconds. The Chinese team once again displayed its depth in the discipline, placing nearly one-third of the finalists into the knockout bracket.

OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS AND AMERICAN CHALLENGERS ADVANCE

Despite the absence of Paris 2024 bronze medallist Samuel Watson, Team USA remains a major contender through Michael Hom and Zach Hammer. Hom finished second with 4.913 seconds, narrowly ahead of Hammer in third with 4.918.

Paris 2024 Olympic champion Veddriq Leonardo of Indonesia qualified fourth with 4.922 seconds and will headline a three-man Indonesian team in tonight's Speed finals. Antasyafi Robby Al Hilmi of Indonesia also progressed in 10th place with 5.040 seconds, while Raharjati Nursamsa of Indonesia secured the final qualification spot in 16th with 5.13 seconds.

For the men’s Speed complete results click here.

NEXT UP

Day four of the World Climbing Series Comunidad de Madrid 2026 will continue this afternoon with the men’s Speed qualification round, starting at 14:30 (UTC+2:00). The Speed finals will then bring the event to a close from 18:00.

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.