Asian Games 2026: Sport climbers happy to reach finals

Singapore sport climbers Ezell Low (far right) and Adre bin Alfiyan during the speed qualification at the 2026 Asian Games. Photo: SNOC/ Kong Chong Yew

A minor hiccup at the start of the men’s speed qualification round at the Asian Games did little to rattle sport climber Ezell Low, as he posted a national record of 5.21s to finish 13th on 30 Sep and earn his spot in the final phase. Fellow Singaporean Adre bin Alfiyan scored a personal best of 5.84s and finished 17th.

In the women's speed quarterfinals, Jeanette Koh and Tan Eilin finished fourth in their respective heats and did not advance. 

Low’s first of four climbs at the Port Messe Nagoya Exhibition Hall 1 on 30 Sep was recorded as a fall, as the 20-year-old was deemed to have missed the finishing touch pad. The speed event requires athletes to reach the top of a 15m high climbing wall as quickly as possible. In the qualification round, climbers make four runs and their fastest time determines their ranking. A fall occurs either when a climber cannot recover after slipping, or when he or she touches the finishing pad but fails to stop the timer.

Ezell Low (right) posted a national record of 5.21s during the speed semi-final at the 2026 Asian Games on 30 Sep.  Photo: SNOC/ Kong Chong Yew

“I was a bit flustered,” said Asiad debutant Low. “But then when I saw the crowd and my coach, I was like, ‘Okay, this is just a minor setback. I have three more runs. Don't think about it.’ I felt perfect, so I (told myself) this is just a small thing; I don't even need the first run.”

He recovered brilliantly in the second run to lower his previous national record of 5.28s, which had been achieved earlier this month.

Ezell Low placed 13th in the speed semi-final at the 2026 Asian Games on 30 Sep.  Photo: SNOC/ Kong Chong Yew

“I wasn't really thinking of the national record because the main focus was actually my run. I just wanted a smooth run, and I knew the moment I did a smooth run, (the time) will naturally come,” said Low, who started the speed discipline in 2024. “In fact, my reaction time for that run was really slow. It could have been a lot better, but it’s all right. As long as it got me into the finals, it’s great.

“There's a lot to learn because I made quite a few mistakes, which could have helped me go up to maybe even the top 10 in the qualifications. But it’s okay, I still have the finals to prove myself.”

A fourth-placed finish on his SEA Games debut last year left Low disappointed, but he has since applied the lessons learnt from the experience. Recalling that he had ranked third after the qualifications then, he said: “On my second knockout race, I doubted myself. That one bit of doubt cost me the silver medal, and then the bronze after that. The moment I have no self-doubt, I feel unstoppable … super consistent. Like (in) my first three runs just now, everything felt perfect; I didn’t doubt myself at all, so I ran really well.”

The speed final phase, comprising three knockout rounds, takes place on 1 Oct.

Teammates Vanessa Teng and Natalie Goh also had a good start to their Asian Games campaign, with both reaching the final of the women's boulder after finishing in the top eight of the qualifications. Teng scored 84.8 to rank fifth while Goh was eighth with her score of 69.4.

The boulder event requires athletes to complete the most boulders in the least number of attempts within a set time.

Natalie Goh placed eighth in the women's boulder semi-final at the 2026 Asian Games on 30 Sep.  Photo: SNOC/ Kong Chong Yew

Goh, who is making her first Asian Games appearance, said: “I was really nervous, but I got a lot of encouragement from my family and coaches yesterday, so I came in to just enjoy and focus on myself and give my best. Usually on the first route, I’m really nervous so I’m glad I could get to the top on my first try.”

The Aichi-Nagoya Games are Teng’s second – she competed in the 2018 edition, when sport climbing made its debut with the speed, lead and boulder events combined.

“I’m not very good at speed … but for now, I’m able to focus a lot more on my boulder, which is my strong suit,” said the 30-year-old, who started climbing when she was in secondary school.

“I think I did pretty well. There are a lot of different types of styles in the boulder and I managed to overcome some of my weaknesses throughout my training, and was able to apply it here as well.”

Teng is a 2025 SEA Games silver medallist in the boulder discipline, and while she noted the higher level of competition at the Asian Games, her focus here remains the same as at every other meet: To top the routes.

The 2026 Asian Games are Vanessa Teng's second Asiad appearance. She finished fifth in the women's boulder semi-final on 30 Sep.  Photo: SNOC/ Kong Chong Yew

The routes for the final on 1 Oct will be reset, and both climbers are ready for the challenge.

Teng said: “I know the field in the final is strong, so it doesn’t really matter where I rank. It’s just how the boulders will be, and how we’ll do it eventually.”

Goh, 19, added: “(The goal) is to top the route for me. Not a lot of expectations, I’m just happy to be in the finals and I just want to give my best.”

In the men’s boulder final, Gerald Verosil finished eighth with his score of 10.

“I went in today to just enjoy it. I had the goal of just doing my best and not thinking too much about the results. I think it showed in my climbing that when I don’t have pressure, when I’m enjoying my climbs, I can go far,” said the 25-year-old, who will compete in the lead event on 2 Oct.

“Even though the results may say otherwise, I feel like this experience has just proven to myself that I can do it – that I belong on this stage. I’m really happy to be sharing the stage with Olympians and world champions and people I’ve looked up to growing up. It’s an honour and it’s not a chance that I’ll take for granted.”

The 20th Asian Games are held in Japan from 19 September to 4 October 2026. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.