Wu Peng of China celebrates after the men's speed final at the IFSC World Cup Wujiang 2024 in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 13, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Samuel Watson was the undeniable man of the hour. The American phenom, who boldly proclaimed himself as the "fastest vertical man in the world," delivered a jaw-dropping performance during the qualification phase of the speed discipline at the 2024 Climbing World Cup. Not once, but twice, Watson obliterated the world record, leaving spectators in awe of his utter dominance.  

Having dominated the sport, Watson had seemed to be on an unstoppable path toward claiming the coveted gold in the highly anticipated final on Saturday night. However, the narrative took an unforeseen twist when China's Wu Peng stepped onto the stage and tore up the script.

Amid the roaring cheers of the fervent home crowd at the Foho Cultural and Sports Center in Wujiang, east China's Jiangsu Province, Wu basked in his moment of glory. The 21-year-old dynamo first showcased his prowess by effortlessly surpassing former world record holder Veddriq Leonardo of Indonesia, securing his place in the semifinals. 

Undeterred by the mounting pressure, Wu's lightning-fast speed propelled him to new heights as he clocked 4.86 seconds, eclipsing the Asian record by a razor-thin margin of 0.04 seconds, leaving Italian contender Ludovico Fossali in his wake.

Wu displayed admirable consistency in the climactic final showdown against Watson and exploited a crucial slip by the reigning world record holder. With flawless composure, he surged ahead and ultimately clinched the gold medal with 4.91 seconds.

"The energy in the arena today was electric, surpassing all my expectations," Watson reflected after winning the silver. "Wu Peng is an outstanding competitor, and his triumph is well-deserved. This experience has provided me with invaluable lessons that will undoubtedly aid my preparations for the upcoming Paris Olympics."

As the sole competitor to consistently achieve sub-5-second climbs in all four rounds, Wu attributed his steady performance to his rigorous daily training.  

"I'm absolutely thrilled and overjoyed," he beamed. "During the final, I did notice Watson's mistake, but it didn't sway my focus. In training, I have consistently hovered around the five-second mark, and to be able to replicate that level of consistency in competition is a testament to the progress I have made during my intense winter training and overall preparation. Thus, I am genuinely content with my performance."

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