US sport climbing phenom Samuel Watson, 19, may not have snagged gold at the 2025 Chengdu World Games, but he’s leaving China with a silver medal, new friendships, and a deep appreciation for Sichuan’s spicy charm 🌶️. Battling a shoulder injury, the speed world record holder (4.64 seconds—yes, that’s faster than some TikTok videos load!) told CGTN Sports Scene he’s already eyeing redemption at LA 2028.
Between competitions, Watson explored Chengdu’s bustling streets and bonded with local athletes, calling Chinese climbing legend-turned-coach Zhong Qixin his ultimate inspiration. 🧗♂️ “Zhong’s not just a champ—he’s building the next generation,” Watson said, munching on undisclosed-but-definitely-delicious street food.
With sport climbing now a permanent Olympic fixture since Tokyo 2020, Watson’s laser-focused on his LA gold quest. But he’s skipping the burnout playbook: “I’ll keep my own rhythm,” he insists, proving champions can savor Sichuan hotpot and world records. 🥘⏱️
