USA?s 17-Year-Old Speed Climbing World Champion Secures Coveted Olympic Spot With Stunning Victory at Pan American Games

Making its debut at the Pan American Games 2023 in Santiago, the medal tally of the sport climbing was dominated by Team USA. Taking the lead, the climber punched his tickets for the Paris Olympics. 24-year-old Piper Kelly became the first women climber to win the Pan American sport climbing medal making history along with a young 17-year-old prodigy crafting history along the way.

Le Bourget in Paris is ready to host the talented sport climbers. Sport climbers from around the world have given their best to qualify for the event. Making its debut at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the sport has revised its format. In the Paris Olympics 2024 there will be two events in the sport climbing, Boulder and lead combined and speed climbing. So, there are four gold medals to compete for at the Paris Olympics in 2024.

A historic Pan American win

The teenager from Texas has been making waves in the sport-climbing world. Samuel Watson created history after becoming the youngest male climber to win a gold medal at an IFSC Climbing World Cup. On October 22nd 2023, he added another historic achievement to his career. Winning the first ever Pan American games gold in sport climbing. An Instagram post by @teamusa congratulated Samuel Watson on confirming the ticket to Paris. The post read ?Ticket punched to @paris2024 Let?s hear it for @samuelwatson__, who will represent Team USA next summer in speed climbing??

Watson has been making waves on the sport-climbing scene. At the Pan American games in Santiago, he defeated Noah Bratschi of the USA to clinch the gold medal. The slipup by Noah Bratschi proved to be an opportunity for the young climber. Samuel Watson?s 5.37 gave him the win over Bratschi?s 5.96.

Emotional win for the champion

Everyone was on the edge of their seats, counting down every single second as the two climbers went toe to toe. But eventually, the teenager stepped up and pushed himself to victory with a difference of a few seconds.

Watson?s father couldn?t help but tear up as his son emerged victorious. In an exclusive interview with Olympic.com Watson said, “I love [my parents] so dearly. They’ve gone to almost every single competition on the adult circuit, travelled the world, supported me financially, emotionally, after every single bad comp.??Grateful for his parents, Watson went on to hug his father after the big achievement.

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The stage is set for the Olympics in Paris. More climbers are participating than in Tokyo. More participants means more competition. It won?t be an easy run for the young Olympian. But he has his priorities sorted out and is in great condition physically and mentally.?In the international Olympic roster of athletes, young seventeen-year-old Samuel Watson is one of the Olympians to keep an eye on.?

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