PARIS, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Aleksandra Miroslaw of Poland bested China's Deng Lijuan in the big final to win sport climbing women's speed gold in this event's Olympic debut at Paris 2024 here on Wednesday.
The two-time world champion, fresh from setting a new world record of 6.06 seconds on Monday, clocked 6.10 to beat Zhou's personal best of 6.18.
"It means a lot. It's like the first time for the speed climbing and also for me here in the discipline, and I have my flag, and I was standing on the podium on the first place hearing the national anthem. It was amazing," said Miroslaw, who narrowly missed the podium in women's combined at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago when the sport was first introduced to the Olympic program.
Asked how far she could go, the Pole replied with "I don't know". "The sky is the limit I would say," she added.
Deng's silver is the first Olympic sport climbing medal for China, but she didn't appear to be overwhelmed by emotions.
"I think I haven't realized yet what I have achieved. I am bit at loss at the moment," said the 24-year-old. "I think I'm a calm person, which is good for the sport."
Deng said she was in a soundless world of her own despite the roaring crowds before the competitions.
Deng edged reigning world champion Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi of Indonesia by a slim 0.006 seconds in the quarterfinals in the closest duel of the day, and had a solid performance to prevail in the semifinal clash against another Indonesian climber Rajiah Sallsabillah.
"I didn't think too much. I just focused on doing my best and concentrated on each climb without thinking about other things," said Deng.
Another Pole Aleksandra Kalucka (6.53) defeated Sallsabillah (8.24) in the small final to win the bronze.
"I was so happy and I couldn't believe that I just won (the) bronze medal. I'm super happy and proud of myself that I did it," said Kalucka.
The 22-year-old revealed that she texted her twin sister Natalie first after the match to share her joys. Natalie is also among the world's top sport climbers but missed the Olympics as each National Olympic Committee has only two quota places in the event.
"My sister is the most important person in my life. She gives me (everything) every day and I can truly say (that) without her, I wouldn't be here," she said.
In the lead competition of men's combined earlier on Wednesday, Alberto Gines Lopez of Spain led the field with 72 points and advanced into the Friday's final in the fourth place overall, while Sorato Anraku of Japan, fourth place in lead with 68 points, entered the final as top finisher overall. ■
