RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Young Indonesian sport climber Ardana Cikal Damarwulan successfully reached the U17 men's boulder final at the IFSC Youth World Championships in Arco, Italy, marking a historic first for Indonesia in international boulder competitions.

In the semifinal round, Cikal finished in sixth place with a score of 69.5. However, in the final round, he recorded a score of 19.9 and ultimately placed seventh.

The U17 men's boulder event was won by Japan's Kazuki Nakata with a score of 99.3, followed by fellow countryman Taketo Saiki (74.7) and South Korea's Hayool Lee (59.5). Amri, coach of the Indonesian lead climbing team, said this achievement was very encouraging and signaled that Indonesia holds strong potential in the boulder discipline.

"This is extremely encouraging and a signal that we have real potential in boulder, a discipline where we were previously considered behind," Amri said in an official statement received by RRI on Saturday, July 25, 2026.

Indonesia is now making its mark across all sport climbing disciplines, not just speed, but lead and boulder as well.

The Indonesian Sport Climbing Federation (FPTI) dispatched two athletes to the competition held from July 18–25, 2026: Cikal and Haddan Malik Baqmuhyibar. Haddan successfully brought home a silver medal in the U19 men's speed event.

Cikal competed in two disciplines, the U17 men's lead and U17 men's boulder. Cikal's breakthrough is a promising milestone given his status as one of Indonesia's rising young prospects.

FPTI hopes this event will provide invaluable experience and flight hours for the athletes, while also building their mental toughness on the international stage.

Indonesia continues to gain recognition as a formidable contender in global sport climbing, with this landmark achievement serving as a valuable asset for future athlete development. (Diva Rifdah-EN)