WUJIANG, China, May 10 (Xinhua) -- China's speed climber Zhao Yicheng set a new world record of 4.54 seconds in the men's speed semifinal before going on to win the title at the World Climbing Series Wujiang stop on Sunday.

Zhao bettered his previous world record of 4.58 seconds, set at last month's 2026 Asian Beach Games in Sanya.

Zhao's semifinal opponent, America's Samuel Watson, took bronze at the 2024 Olympic Games and had previously broken the men's speed climbing world record at both the Olympics and the 2025 IFSC World Cup event in Bali.

Zhao, who will not turn 17 for another month, is competing in his first senior international season after winning three world junior titles. The Wujiang event also marked his first career World Cup appearance. ■