By Zaynab Kawtharani
OCA Young Reporter
Sanya, China, April 28, 2026: China’s Zhao Yicheng delivered a historic performance to win the gold medal in the men’s speed climbing event at the Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 after setting a new world record of 4.58 seconds at the Tianya Haijiao Venue Cluster on April 28.
The record-breaking time came during the morning preliminaries, where Zhao improved on the previous world record of 4.64 seconds, establishing himself as the fastest climber in the world on the standard 15-meter wall.
The Chinese climber shaved 0.06 seconds off the previous world record of 4.64 seconds set by American Samuel Watson, the Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist and IFSC World Cup winner.
“I just had to see what the view looked like from 4.6 seconds,” Zhao said after setting the world record.
When the action resumed in the evening with the 16 fastest athletes in knockout rounds, Zhao won three head-to-head races to book his place in the final.
In the gold medal contest, Zhao secured the victory after Indonesia’s Antasyafi Robby Al Hilmi was disqualified due to a false start, having left the starting position before the official signal. The decision awarded Zhao the gold medal, while the Indonesian climber took silver.
Despite the nature of the final, Zhao’s overall performance across the rounds reflected consistency and control under pressure, as he advanced through the competition with strong times to reach the final.
Indonesia’s Al Hilmi had been among the leading performers, progressing through the rounds to reach the final, while Kazakhstan’s Rishat Khaibullin claimed the bronze medal.
Zhao’s achievement stands as one of the defining moments of the sport climbing programme at Sanya 2026, combining a world record performance with a gold medal finish on home ground.
