Ling and Zhao Set Speed Relay World Record at 9.58

China’s Ling Yongzhi and Zhao Yicheng set a men’s speed relay world record of 9.58 seconds at the 2026 IFSC World Climbing Series in Guiyang. Competing as China 1, the pair broke the previous 9.75 mark during the semi-final on home soil.

A semi-final that lowered the ceiling

The record fell in the afternoon round, with each athlete posting a split of 4.79 seconds on the four-lane wall. The new time carved 0.17 seconds from the old standard, a considerable margin in a discipline where finishes are measured in tenths. It was their first competitive run together as a pair.

All-Chinese gold decided under lights

Hours later, Ling and Zhao faced compatriots Shi Zechuan and Li Xu in the final. Both teams broke the ten-second barrier, but Ling and Zhao crossed first in 9.67 to take gold. Shi and Li claimed silver in 9.87, completing a Chinese sweep of the men’s podium steps.

Zhao was already part of the previous world record. He had set the 9.75 standard alongside Long Jianguo, meaning the Guiyang run saw him break his own former mark with a new teammate. China also won the women’s relay title through Fan Jingyue and Zhang Shaoqin earlier in the day, repeating a double-gold feat the nation first achieved in Kraków earlier that season.

“This was our very first time climbing as a team,” Zhao told reporters afterwards. “We will climb again in Chongqing and maybe we can set another record.” Ling, who now shares a world record, added simply: “I’m so happy for both the gold medal and the world records.”

Depth behind the numbers

Austria’s Kevin Amon and Lukas Windischer took bronze in 10.65, securing the country’s first relay podium. The circuit now moves to Chongqing, where Ling and Zhao will line up again inside a week. Zhao’s second relay record, set with a partner on debut, turns a single 9.58 run into a statement of depth.