INDONESIA LEADS AS AFRICAN AND OCEANIA RECORDS FALL IN MIXED RELAY QUALIFICATION

Team Indonesia 1 topped the Speed Mixed Relay qualification at the World Climbing Series Guiyang 2026, while continental records for Africa and Oceania were set in a fast and fiercely contested round.

Raharjati Nursamsa and Rajiah Sallsabillah combined for a winning time of 11.81 seconds to take first place, with home favourites Yang Jie and Mou Yuju of China 1 following in second with 12.08.

SOUTH AFRICA MAKES HISTORY

South Africa's Aniya Holder and John-David Muller made history by setting the first-ever African record in the Speed Mixed Relay. The pair clocked 15.55 seconds, fixing the benchmark for the continent while also securing a place in the final in 16th position.

The result marks another milestone for South African Speed Climbing, with the team becoming the first from the country to reach a final round in a Speed event.

"Our first race was all right. We tried to sort of play it safe, but still get a decent time," Holder said.

The South African climber also highlighted the appeal of the relay format and the challenge of preparing for it without the opportunity to train the event regularly at home.

"I love the Mixed Relay, I also like the same gender relays, relays are fun! I have done the relay with the other female South African, and I went first. And JD did the relay with the other South African man and went second, so because we can't practice the format at home we just thought, we'll just do what we already know from the previous year."

New Zealand's Ned Johnston and Sarah Tetzlaff also set a new continental benchmark, lowering the Oceania record to 17.26 seconds. Their record-breaking run, however, was not enough to secure a place in the final.

FRANCE LEADS EUROPE

France 1 was the highest-ranked European team, with Jérôme Morel and Capucine Viglione combining to finish among the top five and secure their place in the final.

After competing in the individual Speed event on the opening day, Morel admitted fatigue was beginning to set in but was delighted with the team's qualification: "I'm a little bit tired after yesterday's competition, but I gave everything I had in this qualification and we made it to the top five. Now let's go and enjoy the final tonight!"

NEXT UP

The Speed Mixed Relay final will take place tonight at 19:30 (UTC+8:00). The same-gender relays will close the programme tomorrow, with the men's qualification starting at 11:00 and the women's qualification at 12:50. The Speed Relay finals will bring the event to a close at 20:00.

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