RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia will send two promising young climbers to IFSC World Climbing Youth Championships 2026 in Arco, Italy, July 18-25, as part of its long-term strategy to strengthen the country's next generation of athletes through international competition.

The annual age-group championship offers valuable experience against the world's top youth climbers before they transition to the senior level.

Haddan Malik Baqmuhyibar and Ardana Cikal Damarwulan will represent Indonesia in three disciplines at the competition, according to Indonesian National Climbing Team Manager Wahyu Pristiawan Buntoro.

"Haddan Malik Baqmuhyibar will compete in the speed discipline, while Ardana Cikal Damarwulan will take part in the lead and boulder events," Wahyu said in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 15, as quoted by Antara.

Haddan will compete in the men's U19 individual speed event, while Cikal is scheduled to race in the men's U17 individual lead and individual boulder categories.

The championship, organized annually by the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), will take place at the Rock Master Climbing Stadium, featuring speed, lead, and boulder events for U17 and U19 athletes from around the world.

Wahyu said the tournament serves as one of the most prestigious platforms for youth climbers to measure their abilities while gaining international experience before advancing to senior-level competition.

Hundreds of athletes from dozens of countries are expected to compete for youth world titles.

Indonesia hopes the event will help Haddan and Cikal sharpen their technical skills, strengthen their competitive mindset, and contribute to the country's long-term athlete development program, which has consistently produced climbers capable of competing successfully on the international stage.

Haddan is one of Indonesia's most promising young climbers, having won the U17 men's individual speed gold medal at IFSC Youth Asian Championships 2026 in Guiyang, China.

Meanwhile, Cikal claimed the men's lead climbing gold medal at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand last December. ***