Mimika, Papua (ANTARA) - West Java athlete Raharjati Nursyamsa might replace West Kalimantan representative Veddriq Leonardo as the men's world record holder in speed climbing, as he delivered an outstanding feat at the XX Papua National Sports Week (PON).
"Today, Nursyamsa managed to record a time of 5.14 seconds – such an extraordinary achievement," Head I of the Central Board of the Indonesian Rock Climbing Federation (FPTI) Rudy Fitryano stated during a press conference at the SP2 Rock Climbing Arena, Mimika District, Papua Province, on Friday.
The West Java representative set the record during the semifinal of the men's individual Speed World Record event of the XX Papua PON sports climbing against Aspar Jaelolo from Jakarta.
The achievement was better than the current 5.208-second world record set by Leonardo while competing in the final of the 2021 IFSC Climbing World Cup in Salt Lake City, the United States.
However, Nursyamsa failed to secure the gold medal, as he lost grip of the wall and fell while facing the West Kalimantan athlete.
In fact, Leonardo also slipped at almost the same time as the West Java climber.
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However, the West Kalimantan athlete managed to continue to hold on to the wall, thereby managing to continue to climb to the top.
"I heard earlier that a record time of 5.14 seconds was set by the West Java athlete – that was remarkable. However, I just want to focus on the match," he affirmed.
Meanwhile, Nursyamsa admitted to being a bit complacent with the time he had recorded before the final.
"Maybe because I was too content with the previous match result that I let my guard down. I will do a self-evaluation," he added.
Nonetheless, the FPTI still had to go through several procedures for Nursyamsa's achievement to be recognized by the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC).
Fitryano informed that the FPTI was required to firstly administer the license of the venue, facility, and equipment used in the competition with the IFSC.
“Only then can the achievement be acknowledged by IFSC,” he affirmed.
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