Zhao Yicheng breaks men’s speed record

At the 2026 World Climbing Series, China’s Zhao Yicheng set a men’s speed climbing world record of 4.54 seconds in the semifinals and went on to win the title.

Zhao faced American Samuel Watson in the semifinals. With a time of 4.54 seconds, Zhao defeated Watson to advance to the final while also establishing a new men’s speed climbing world record. The previous world record was 4.58 seconds, set by Zhao himself on April 28 at the 6th Asian Beach Games. In the final, Zhao clocked 4.61 seconds to beat teammate Long Jianguo and claim the championship.

Born in June 2009, Zhao began to emerge as a standout last year. In 2025, at an international-competition (speed) trials event held by the national sport climbing training team, the then 15-year-old Zhao recorded times of 4.76, 4.68 and 4.65 seconds. The 4.76 surpassed the national record, and the 4.68 and 4.65 were faster than the world record of 4.74 seconds held at the time by Watson. However, due to age restrictions, Zhao did not compete in adult international events last year. Since beginning competition this year, he has posted a string of strong results and has broken the world record twice in just 12 days.