Poland's Aleksandra Kalucka wins Speed Climbing’s battle of the twins as Wu Peng of China claims men’s crown

BUDAPEST – Poland's Aleksandra Kalucka and China’s Wu Peng claimed the women’s and men’s speed climbing Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) titles respectively on Saturday evening to lead an overjoyed group of athletes heading to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

But for both champions there was a tinge of sadness amid the joy in Budapest.

For Kalucka (centre), her smiles resulted in tears for her twin Natalia. The sisters have been locked in a battle to secure the one spot available for a Polish climber at the OQS and after Natalia, who finished third in OQS Shanghai, went out in the round of 16, Aleksandra’s win meant she secured the ticket to France.

“It was very hard today, to deal with the pressure, I knew I had to fight with my sister because we had similar points,” Aleksandra Kalucka said after beating China’s Zhou Yafei, winner of the OQS Shanghai, in the final.

“During our breakfast today we were crying because we were aware that it would be a bittersweet evening for us. It’s a hard situation. It’s kind of not fair because she deserves this so much and now she is crying and she is sad. But I think she is also happy for me.”

For Capucine Viglione, tears of sadness turned to ones of joy. The Frenchwoman thought she had blown her chance of competing in a home Olympic Games after going out in the quarterfinals. But a smiling coach quickly put her right.

“The coach told me you’re qualified and I just kept crying,” Viglione said. “I just didn’t know what to think. It’s a mess in my head.”

Compatriot Manon Lebon will join her in Paris after finishing ahead of heartbroken teammate Lison Gautron.

Similar emotions were everywhere. China and Indonesia's men’s speed teams are so strong that there was always going to be tears for some of the world’s very best.

Wu’s victory, ahead of Kazakhstan’s Amir Maimuratov, meant heartache for Wang Xinshang, who finished third at OQS Shanghai.

But for Wu, there is no room for sentiment

“I choose to compete with myself and not compete with others,” the world No.1 said.

For Indonesia, it is Veddriq Leonardo who will head to Paris. He finished third in Budapest, to seal his spot ahead of fellow former world record holder Kiromal Katibin and veteran Aspar Aspar.

It was left to Ludovico Fossali, the 2019 men’s speed world champion, to sum up the joy and heartache being felt.

“It’s happy, it’s nice to see their smiles, but I cannot really enjoy, even if one of the girls (to qualify) is my girl (Beatrice Colli),” Fossali, who will not be going to Paris 2024, said. “It’s kind of hard, I can’t split myself into two. I’m happy for Bea, but sad for me.”

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