Peak performers take climbing to new heights

The "Belt and Road" 2020 Huashan Mountain Chinese Rock Climbing Open, a leg of the Chinese Rock Climbing Series, was staged at Huashan Mountain scenic attraction in Shaanxi province on Wednesday and Thursday.

The event was organized by the Chinese Mountaineering Association, Shaanxi Sports Bureau, the People's government of Weinan, Shaanxi Social Sports Development Center, Shaanxi Mountaineering Association, Weinan Sports Bureau, Weinan Culture and Tourism Bureau, the People's government of Huayin, Shaanxi Huashan Mountain management committee, Shaanxi Huashan Tourism Group Co. Ltd and Zhongpan Business Co. Ltd. (Beijing).

The Chinese Rock Climbing Series is the sport's only national level event that features a natural rock face. The tournament locations are all picturesque mountain areas which are also famous tourist attractions.

"With such an event, the public can become aware that this location is not just a beautiful tourist area but that it can also stage a major rock climbing tournament. The organizers hope the event's renown and influence can continue to grow," said Wang Yongfeng, vice-president of the Chinese Mountaineering Association.

Huashan Mountain boasts a sheer granite peak, with its steep hillsides, sharp ridges and unique scenery making it ideal for a rock climbing event. Huashan Mountain has a giant rock face of over 1,000 meters, which provides athletes with a great location to test their skills, courage and perseverance.

The most special aspect of this event was the natural rock face, and this was the first time in the tournament's history that athletes attempted to conquer it in a team. Experienced quartet Xie Weicheng, Wang Zhiming, Qiu Jiang and Zhao Zhongjum – who were selected by the Chinese Mountaineering Association - were the brave souls who took on the challenge.