Veddriq clinches first gold for Indonesia at Paris Olympics

Jakarta, Aug 9 (ANTARA) - Sport climbing athlete Veddriq Leonardo secured the first gold medal for Indonesia at the 2024 Paris Olympics after becoming the fastest in the men's speed event.

Despite a slow start, Veddriq, a former world record holder, dashed to defeat Chinese athlete Wu Peng with a time of 4.75 seconds at the Le Bourget Climbing Venue in Paris.

Wu had to be content with a silver medal after losing 0.02 seconds to the athlete from Pontianak, West Kalimantan.

Although he lost to the Chinese representative in the semifinals, Sam Watson from the United States managed to win bronze after sharpening the world record he set in Paris with a time of 4.74 seconds when he defeated Iranian athlete Reza Alipour Shenazandifard (4.88 seconds), according to the official Olympics website.

Earlier, Indonesia's hopes for a medal in women's speed climbing at the Paris 2024 Olympics were dashed, with both Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi and Rajiah Sallsabilah being eliminated from the competition.

Desak, Indonesia's top-ranked speed climber, suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the quarterfinals, narrowly losing to China's Deng Lijuan by just 0.006 seconds. Despite her previous strong performances, Desak was unable to secure a podium finish.

"I do not know what else to say because I was fast earlier, but my opponent was faster," the 23-year-old Balinese athlete stated.

"I'll be back stronger for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics," the athlete affirmed.

Rajiah also faced challenges, losing out on the bronze to Poland's Aleksandra Kaucka.

Rajiah clocked 8.24 seconds, while Kaucka secured the win with a time of 6.53 seconds.

Meanwhile, Poland's Aleksandra Miroslaw dominated the women's competition, securing the gold medal with a world record-breaking performance of 6.06 seconds. China's Deng claimed silver, while Kaucka earned bronze.