Speed Climber Veddriq Leonardo Wins Indonesia’s First Gold at Paris Olympics

Veddriq Leonardo wins gold at Paris 2024 Olympics, Thursday (08/08), France. (Photo by: NOC Indonesia)

Indonesian speed climber Veddriq Leonardo Thursday (8/8) won the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, bringing home the first gold for Indonesia Team.

In the final match held at the Le Bourget Climbing Venue, France, Veddriq defeated Wu Peng of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). In the men’s speed climbing final, the 1997-born athlete recorded an impressive 4.75 seconds, beating Wu Peng, who finished in 4.77 seconds to claim the silver medal. The bronze medal went to American climber Sam Watson.

Earlier, in the quarterfinals, Veddriq challenged the host nation’s climber Bassa Mawem. Veddriq secured victory with a time of 4.88 seconds, beating Mawem who recorded 5.26 seconds.

In the semifinals, Veddriq competed against Reza Alipour Shenazandifard of Iran. The climber from Pontianak, West Kalimantan province, won the match with a time of 4.78 seconds, edging out Alipour, who finished in 4.84 seconds.

Veddriq’s victory marks Indonesia’s first gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics and the second medal after the bronze won by women’s singles badminton player Gregoria Mariska Tunjung. (UN) (EST/MUR)