This weekend, 15 athletes represented Team USA in Bali, Indonesia for the third IFSC Climbing World Cup of the season! World records fell and medals were won at Peninsula Island, where coral cliffs and ocean waves were the backdrop.

Sam Watson Sets World Record (Twice), Wins Gold Medal

6 men represented Team USA in Speed at the IFSC World Cup Bali 2025. 

Watson, who set the previous world record (4.74 seconds) and won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, has been promising a new world record this season. He has consistently run faster than his world record in practice, but it was Bali where he finally lowered that record in competition for an energetic crowd.

Coming through a semi-final against Indonesia’s Raharjati Nursamsa, Watson lowered his world record to an astonishing 4.67 seconds – but he wasn’t done there.

In the final he came up against Japan’s Omasa Ryo, who made an unfortunate false start. At that point, Watson had won gold and set one world record.

“NFL players do the two-minute drill where they do a simulation of going through processes,” explained Watson, “and if I want to break a PB in practice I will do the same. I pretend I win gold, my opponent false started, and I just want to give the crowd one more run, especially this crowd in here in Bali. Everything just went right.”

Climbing on his own, he hit the buzzer at just 4.64 seconds, another world record, and an unexpected one at that.

“The qualifiers and practice were boiling. I came back and put an ice pack on my head. But I am a competitor and the conditions affect everybody. I was lucky we got a bit of overcast so there was a little bit of shade, and I am really happy now. I wasn’t expecting it at all.”

After his gold there is a little down time to digest what he has just done in Bali, but then it’s back to business for Watson.

“I will be going down to the beach and hanging out for about a day and enjoying this backdrop. I’ll relax for a bit and enjoy this beautiful city, country, island. Then I’ve got Denver. The World Cup Series overall is one of my goals and I am not going to let it go. I will keep pushing and not let it go to my head.”

Also representing Team USA in the Speed Qualification round were Merritt Ernsberger (placed 32nd), Noah Bratschi (placed 33rd), Ben Jennings (placed 35th), Aidan Goddard (placed 52nd), and Zach Hammer (placed 55th).

4 women represented Team USA in Speed, with Sophia Curcio and Isis Rothfork advancing to Finals. 

Also representing Team USA in the Speed Qualification round were Piper Kelly (placed 21st) and Liberty Runnels (placed 32nd).

3 men represented Team USA in Lead, with Jesse Grupper advancing to Semi-Finals. 

Also representing Team USA in the Lead Qualification round were Sergey Lakhno and Declan Osgood, who joined Thailand’s Auswin Aueareechit in a three-way tie for 38th place.

2 women represented Team USA in Lead, with Adriene Akiko Clark advancing to Semi-Finals. 

Bali was also Zoe Yi’s first-ever IFSC World Cup appearance–she placed 38th in the Qualification round.

You can rewatch the IFSC World Cup Wujiang 2025 on the IFSC YouTube Channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.