Veddriq Leonardo has continued Indonesia's gold medal tradition at the Olympics while making history by winning the country's first-ever gold in the sport of climbing, as well as the first gold in a sport other than badminton. On Thursday, August 8, 2024, Veddriq clinched the gold medal for Indonesia in the speed climbing event at the Paris Olympics.

Key Points:

• Veddriq Leonardo, known for his world-record achievements and multiple international honors, was the last of four Indonesian climbers to clinch a spot in the Paris Olympics
• During the IFSC qualification round, Veddriq broke Katibin's record with a time of 4.98 seconds. He went on to defeat China's Peng Wu in the quarterfinals, clocking in at 4.9 seconds

Courtesy Source: cnbcindonesia

In the final round, the athlete from Pontianak defeated China's top contender, Wu Peng. Climbing a 15-meter wall, Veddriq recorded a time of 4.75 seconds, outpacing Wu Peng.

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Who is Veddriq Leonardo, the Gold Medalist in Climbing?

Veddriq Leonardo has garnered numerous accolades in international competitions and has set world records. He was the last of four Indonesian climbers to secure a spot in the Paris Olympics.

In the qualification rounds, he placed third in the final of the second qualifying series for the Paris 2024 Olympics in Budapest, Hungary.

Veddriq has consistently brought pride to Indonesia on the international stage. He has won gold medals at the Climbing World Cup in South Korea in 2023 and the United States in 2021.

In addition, Veddriq is a world record holder. He recently set a new world record at the International Sport Climbing (IFSC) 2023 event in Seoul, South Korea, on April 28, 2023.

This achievement broke the previous record held by fellow Indonesian and teammate Kiromal Katibin on July 8, 2022, in France.

Veddriq broke Katibin's record during the IFSC qualification round with a time of 4.98 seconds. In the quarterfinals, Veddriq defeated China's Peng Wu with a time of 4.9 seconds.

Courtesy Photo Source: Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP

Indonesia's Gold Medal Achievements at the Olympics Over the Years

1988 Seoul, South Korea:

Silver medal in team archery, earned by athletes Nurfitriyana Saiman, Kusuma Wardhani, and Lilies Handayani.

1992 Barcelona, Spain:

Gold medal in women's singles badminton: Susi Susanti.
Gold medal in men's singles badminton: Alan Budi Kusuma.

1996 Atlanta, USA:

Gold medal in men's doubles badminton: Rexy Mainaky and Ricky Subagja.
Silver medal in women's singles badminton: Mia Audina.
Bronze medal in men's doubles badminton: Antonius Ariantho and Denny Kantono.
Bronze medal in women's singles badminton: Susi Susanti.

2000 Sydney, Australia:

Gold medal in men's doubles badminton: Tony Gunawan and Candra Wijaya.
Silver medal in mixed doubles badminton: Tri Kusharjanto and Minarti Timur.
Silver medal in men's singles badminton: Hendrawan.
Silver medal in women's 48 kg weightlifting: Raema Lisa Rumbewas.
Bronze medal in women's 48 kg weightlifting: Sri Indriyani.
Bronze medal in women's 48 kg weightlifting: Winarni Binti Slamet.

2004 Athens, Greece:

Gold medal in men's singles badminton: Taufik Hidayat.
Bronze medal in men's singles badminton: Sony Dwi Kuncoro.
Bronze medal in men's doubles badminton: Eng Hian and Flendy Limpele.
Silver medal in women's 53 kg weightlifting: Raema Lisa Rumbewas.

2008 Beijing, China:

Gold medal in men's doubles badminton: Hendra Setiawan and Markis Kido.
Silver medal in mixed doubles badminton: Nova Widianto and Lilyana Natsir.
Bronze medal in women's singles badminton: Maria Kristin Yulianti.
Bronze medal in men's 56 kg weightlifting: Eko Yuli Irawan.
Bronze medal in men's 62 kg weightlifting: Triyatno.
Bronze medal in women's 53 kg weightlifting: Raema Lisa Rumbewas.

2012 London, UK:

Silver medal in men's 69 kg weightlifting: Triyatno.
Silver medal in women's 53 kg weightlifting: Citra Febrianti.
Bronze medal in men's 62 kg weightlifting: Eko Yuli Irawan.

2016 Rio, Brazil:

Gold medal in mixed doubles badminton: Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir.
Silver medal in women's 48 kg weightlifting: Sri Wahyuni Agustiani.
Silver medal in men's 62 kg weightlifting: Eko Yuli Irawan.

2020 Tokyo, Japan:

Gold medal in women's doubles badminton: Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu.
Bronze medal in men's singles badminton: Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.
Silver medal in men's 61 kg weightlifting: Eko Yuli Irawan.
Bronze medal in women's 48 kg weightlifting: Windy Cantika Aisah.
Bronze medal in men's 73 kg weightlifting: Rahmat Erwin Abdullah.