Indonesian climbers secure two spots for 2024 Paris Olympics

INDONESIA – Indonesia’s sports climbing team achieved another remarkable feat on Sunday (12 Nov), by securing an additional ticket to the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Rahmad Adi Mulyono, an Indonesian climber, clinched the coveted spot after a stellar performance in the Speed discipline during the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) Asian Qualifier 2023 held in Jakarta.

The qualifications featured 24 male athletes and 16 female athletes, each competing twice on separate routes. Subsequently, 16 male athletes and eight female athletes moved on to the finals, where their speed-climbing abilities were put to the test.

Indonesian rock climber Rajiah Sallsabillah (right) competes in a speed race against Chinese athlete Lijuan Deng (left) during the qualifying round of the IFSC Asian Qualifier Speed category in Jakarta’s GBK Climbing Arena on Sunday (12 Nov). (Photo: antaranews.com)

In the men’s category, all Indonesian athletes who participated in this discipline made it to the final round. The trio of Kiromal Katibin, Veddriq Leonardo, and Rahmad Adi Mulyono showcased their exceptional skills.

In the semifinals, Rahmad Adi Mulyono remarkably defeated the world record holder for speed climbing, Veddriq Leonardo. He then faced Kiromal Katibin in the final, where an unfortunate slip by Katibin allowed Rahmad Adi Mulyono to clinch the top spot with a time of 5.35 seconds, securing his place in the 2024 Olympics.

The women’s category also saw three Indonesian athletes advance to the final round, namely Mutia Amanda Narda, Nurul Iqomah, and Rajiah Sallsabillah. However, it was Rajiah Sallsabillah who stood out by achieving the third-place podium finish, earning a well-deserved bronze medal.

Rajiah’s journey to the third-place finish included a victory over her fellow countrywoman, Nurul Iqomah, in the battle for the bronze medal, following losses to athletes from China and Korea. The top spot in this category was claimed by China’s Deng Lijuan, granting her the opportunity to represent Asia at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

This recent success means that Indonesia will be sending two climbers to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The first ticket was secured by Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi.

She clinched the gold medal at the 2023 IFSC World Championships in Bern, Switzerland. Recording the fastest time of 6.49 seconds in the speed category on Thursday (10 Aug), local time, she defeated American athlete Emma Hunt, who secured second place with a time of 6.67 seconds.