9-year-old Hongkonger completes record-breaking climb in China’s Yangshuo
Veronica Chik returned to sport after self-imposed 3-month lay-off to become youngest Hongkonger to navigate ‘China Climb’
A nine-year-old Hongkonger has overcome a fear of heights to complete an astonishing record-breaking ascent of one of China’s most formidable climbs.
Veronica Chik raced up the 31-metre “China Climb” in Yangshuo in five minutes and 50 seconds. She is the youngest Hong Kong climber to navigate the route, which has a grading of 5.14a, making it among the toughest in the sport.
European nations have claimed half of the 18 Olympic medals available since Sport Climbing was introduced at the Tokyo Games in 2021. In Paris this summer, China claimed two silvers, while Veddriq Leonardo of Indonesia won a gold medal.
Chik’s feat on Thursday, only six months after she began climbing outdoors, raises the possibility of Hong Kong representation in the sport at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Chik’s mother, Vivian Wan, said: “The emotional roller coaster of the past few months has been indescribable. From the moment we decided to accept this challenge, we knew it would be a difficult journey.
“Every weekend, we travelled from Hong Kong to Yangshuo for training … five hours each way, experiencing a whirlwind of emotions: anticipation, excitement, disappointment, doubt, fear, and ultimately courage and perseverance.