Iranian speed climber Alipour claims title at China Open - Guangzhou 2017, donates medal to quake victims

Iranian speed climber Reza Alipour Shenazandifard has been crowned as the champion of China Open - Guangzhou 2017, and donated his medal to families stricken in the recent earthquake in the western part of Iran, which has left at least 500 people dead, hundreds of others injured and dozens of villages destroyed.

The Iranian sportsman, nicknamed “Vertical World's Fastest Man”, exhibited outstanding displays in the men’s speed competitions at Sports Center of Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, and clocked 5.67 seconds to proudly stand on top of the podium.

Russia’s Vladislav Deulin claimed the second position of the chart with 5.89 seconds. Aleksandr Shikov, another representative from Russia, recorded 6.34 seconds and got the bronze medal of the division.

China Open - Guangzhou 2017 kicked off on November 17 and ran through November 19.

The tournament was held in women’s lead, women’s bouldering, women’s speed, men’s lead, men’s bouldering and men’s speed sections.

Speed climbing is a race in its purest form. Two contestants face each other while moving up the ice in this disciple, and the faster climber wins.

Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is performed without the use of ropes or harnesses. Most climbers, however, use climbing shoes to help secure footholds, chalk to keep their hands dry, and mats to prevent injuries from falls.

Lead climbing, on the other hand, emphasizes on strength and techniques. Climbers go up the ice alone and try to reach a specific end point within a given amount of time.

To practice the sport at the highest level of competition, it takes athletes with strategic insight, power, precision and full commitment.

A quake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale rattled the border region between Iran and Iraq late on November 13, causing extensive damage and loss of life.

According to the latest figures, at least 436 people have lost their lives and 9,388 others sustained injuries in the earthquake. More than 12,000 homes have also been completely destroyed in the incident.

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