Bali, May 3 -- American Samuel Watson claimed the men's speed climbing gold in a world record time of 4.64 seconds at the IFSC World Cup Bali, marking his fifth record-breaking performance in this event.
During recent winter training, both Watson and China's 15-year-old rising star Zhao Yicheng - who has not yet reached the age limit for international competition this year - posted consecutive performances under 4.70 seconds.
The international climbing community had been highly anticipative of a new record ahead of the World Cup season opener in Wujiang, east China's Jiangsu Province last week, but only saw Watson finish fourth after slipping in the semifinals.
Watson did not keep the world waiting long, as he set a new world record o...