Nearly a year after his standout performance at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, Indonesia’s Kiromal Katibin is still reflecting on the silver medal that confirmed his place among the world’s elite in Speed Climbing.
Katibin delivered another major podium finish in August 2025, repeating his silver-medal success from The World Games 2022 in Birmingham and reinforcing his consistency on one of sport climbing’s biggest international stages.
The result came in a discipline that continues to grow rapidly and will feature at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, where Speed Climbing is expected to attract a global audience.
Looking back nearly a year later, Katibin still remembers the atmosphere in Chengdu vividly.
“When I think back to Chengdu, the first thing that comes to mind is the atmosphere of the venue, the large crowd, and the feeling of representing Indonesia on such a big stage, creating a truly special moment. Compared to Birmingham 2022, I feel more mature and experienced. The World Games 2022 were a significant milestone in my career, but in Chengdu, I felt more confident in dealing with the pressure and expectations.”
For Katibin, the podium moment carried deep emotional weight.
“Standing on the podium, I felt proud and grateful. I thought about my family, my coaches, my teammates, and everyone who supported me along the way. This silver medal represents more than just a result. It represents hard work, sacrifice, discipline, and the belief that every challenge can make us stronger.”
As he has grown into a more experienced competitor, Katibin says consistency has been one of the greatest challenges in elite competition.
“One of the toughest challenges is maintaining consistency amidst the ups and downs of training and competition. There are always moments of doubt, fatigue, and injuries. These experiences have taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of trusting the process. Success doesn’t happen overnight.”
The World Games 2025 offered a unique environment compared to single-discipline climbing events, bringing together athletes from across global sport.
“The World Games felt unique because it brought together athletes from many different sports. It created a festival-like atmosphere that was different from events focused only on climbing. It was exciting to see speed climbing showcased alongside other disciplines and to introduce our sport to a broader audience.”
One of the most memorable aspects for Katibin was the opportunity to connect with athletes beyond his own sport.
“What impressed me most was that they greeted us and invited us to exchange team shirts. We all share the same dedication, sacrifice, and dreams. Those conversations reminded me that sports has the power to connect people from different backgrounds and cultures.”
With speed climbing continuing to evolve at high speed globally, Katibin sees a bright future for the discipline ahead of its Olympic spotlight in Los Angeles 2028.
“What excites me most is seeing how quickly the sport is growing. All athletes are getting faster, and more and more enthusiasts around the world are discovering speed climbing. I believe the future of our sport will continue to improve, and I’m excited to see the next generation push the boundaries even further.”
Looking ahead, Katibin remains motivated to continue representing Indonesia on the world stage, including a potential return to The World Games 2029 in Karlsruhe.
“Competing at The World Games is always a great honour. If I have the opportunity and can qualify, I would love to represent Indonesia again at The World Games 2029 Karlsruhe. My focus will continue to be on improving my skills, maintaining my health, and performing at my best in the years to come.”
As part of the Heroes of The World Games series, Katibin also expressed gratitude to those who have supported his journey and hopes to inspire the next generation of athletes.
“I would like to thank The World Games and the climbing community for their support. It is always a privilege to compete on the world stage and represent Indonesia. I hope to continue inspiring young athletes to pursue their dreams and enjoy the journey of sport ����”