Veddriq, the World-Shaking Indonesian Rock Climbing Athlete

KBRN, Cirebon: Indonesian rock-climbing athlete Veddriq Leonardo faced a tense situation in the 2024 World Games Athlete of the Year election on January 1, 2025.

At the time, Veddriq was about 4,200 votes behind his competitors. However, thanks to the overwhelming support from fans and the sports community, the situation changed drastically.

On the same night, Veddriq managed to add an additional 26,000 votes, bringing his total to a fantastic figure. This significant increase led him to win the prestigious title, as well as confirming that Indonesian rock-climbing athletes are being more recognized internationally.

Veddriq Leonardo was named as the 2024 World Games Athlete of the Year

His success is not just a matter of vote statistics, but also clear evidence that dedication and achievement in the field can inspire millions of people. This achievement further demonstrates the potential of rock climbing in Indonesia and opens up greater opportunities for the younger generation to pursue their dreams in the world of sports.

As quoted by theworldgames.org, the International World Games Association (IWGA) extended its heartfelt congratulations to these outstanding athletes for their impressive achievements in their respective sports. Their achievements are not just inspiring fans around the world but have also elevated their sports to new heights.

Anna Jacobson, IWGA Director of Communications and Media, expressed her gratitude, “We are so grateful to all the fans who participated in this year's voting, supporting their favorite athletes and showing the power of the global sports community. We congratulate the winners and all the candidates who entered and gained valuable exposure on social and digital media. To all ten finalists, you are champions in the eyes of the IWGA and your supporters. Your performance, passion and hard work have elevated your sport and inspired millions. We appreciate your incredible contribution to The World Games. Your stories inspire us all!”

The winners' successes were not just celebrated by the IWGA, but also by their respective sports federations. International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) President Marco Scolaris commented on Veddriq Leonardo's win, "Winning an award like this is very special because the public voted for it, and they recognized Veddriq for his great achievement. Before Veddriq, Indonesia had only won gold in badminton. If you look at Veddriq's reaction back home, he has made a lot of people proud. He has also made the entire climbing community proud by showcasing the physical capabilities of our athletes to the world. We will be back in Indonesia this year with the World Cup in Bali, and the atmosphere and celebration, especially after another award for Veddriq, will be something special."

“Winning the World Games Athlete of the Year award is something I have never imagined before. Being chosen by the public, and amongst so many great athletes from different sports, is an incredible honor and shows how much enthusiasm people have for climbing," said Veddriq as quoted by rri.co.id.

Kristin Lätt, First Runner-Up, also expressed her excitement, "First of all, I am so honored to be nominated alongside so many talented athletes representing flying discs, and even more so to be recognized among athletes from multiple disciplines. To me, this shows that disc golf is loved by so many people, and I am so happy to represent and be a part of this amazing community. This recognition is a testament to the passion and dedication of disc golfers around the world, and it's exciting to see the sport I love gaining more visibility and appreciation.”

The IWGA's announcement of the 2024 World Games Athlete of the Year is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting season of sport. In the upcoming days, there will be in-depth interviews and further announcements about these great athletes.

The global sports community continues to celebrate their achievements, reminding us all of the power of sport to unite, motivate and inspire change.

Congratulations to Veddriq Leonardo, Kristin Lätt, Xin Tong, and all the finalists for their incredible talent and relentless perseverance. Their success reminds us that sport has the power to change lives and inspire millions around the world. ***