Indonesian Climber Desak Made Secures Bronze in Wujiang Speed Event

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian climber Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi clinched the bronze medal in the women’s speed category at the World Climbing Series Wujiang 2026 in China on Sunday, May 10. She secured her place on the podium after defeating Poland’s Natalia Kalucka in the third-place playoff.

Desak clocked 6.17 seconds, edging out Kalucka who finished in 6.39 seconds. Earlier in the competition, she overcame compatriot Rajiah Salsabillah and Isis Rothfork of the United States, but her run was halted in the semifinals by Poland’s Aleksandra Kalucka.

Rajiah exited in the round of 16 after Desak posted 6.36 seconds. Desak then advanced past Rothfork despite losing momentum near the finish line. Ultimately, the gold medal went to Aleksandra Kalucka, while silver was claimed by Elizaveta Ivanova, competing as an Authorized Neutral Athlete (AIN).

After the event, Desak admitted she was not fully satisfied with her performance. "This is not my best result. But whatever the outcome, I must be grateful and use it as an evaluation," she told RRI.co.id following her medal win.

In the men’s speed category, Indonesia’s representatives were unable to reach the semifinals.

Raharjati Nursamsa faced compatriot Kiromal Katibin in the round of 16, winning with 4.77 seconds after Katibin failed to hit the finishing pad. Raharjati’s campaign ended in the quarterfinals against China’s Long Jianguo, slipping near the finish line.

Veddriq Leonardo advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Ukraine’s Hryhorii Ilchyshyn, but fell during his race against Samuel Watson of the United States.

Aditya Tri Syahria bowed out in the round of 16 after losing to Thailand’s Aphiwit Limpanichpakdee, finishing in 7.00 seconds despite nearly slipping near the end.

China’s Zhao Yicheng captured the men’s gold, with Long Jianguo taking silver and Samuel Watson earning bronze.

Assistant speed coach Fitriyani acknowledged the need for further improvements, noting that the Wujiang series highlighted the intensifying competition in the speed discipline.

"We will continue to make adjustments because this event clearly showed us the areas we must work on at the national training center," she said. (Diffa Sephiawardhani/EN)