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23 August 2024 at 4:29:04 pm

Olympic Speed Climbing Champion Sam Watson to Visit Mumbai

Mumbai: When Sam Watson sprints up a 15-metre wall, the world seems to slow down. The 19-year-old American speed climber, an Olympic medallist from Paris 2024 and current world-record holder at 4.64 seconds, has become the face of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. On November 2, he will trade competition arenas for Mumbai’s High Rock in Powai, offering a rare day of workshops and conversations with India’s burgeoning community of climbers. Speed climbing, once a fringe pursuit of...

Olympic Speed Climbing Champion Sam Watson to Visit Mumbai

Mumbai: When Sam Watson sprints up a 15-metre wall, the world seems to slow down. The 19-year-old American speed climber, an Olympic medallist from Paris 2024 and current world-record holder at 4.64 seconds, has become the face of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. On November 2, he will trade competition arenas for Mumbai’s High Rock in Powai, offering a rare day of workshops and conversations with India’s burgeoning community of climbers. Speed climbing, once a fringe pursuit of mountaineers, now stands as one of the Olympics’ most electrifying disciplines. The sport demands not just power and agility but precision measured in hundredths of a second. Watson, often hailed as the greatest speed climber of all time, has repeatedly rewritten the record books. His visit marks a milestone for India’s fledgling climbing scene. High Rock, the city’s first commercial climbing facility, opened its walls in December 2024 and has since drawn more than 10,000 enthusiasts. It represents the country’s growing fascination with vertical sports and a reflection of a global shift toward adventure and athleticism fused with technology and training science. During his visit, Sam Watson will conduct Masterclasses for both Kids and Adults, offering a rare opportunity for amateur climbers to learn directly from a global champion and experience his unmatched energy and technique up close. Watson will be joined by Matt Groom, the Official Lead Commentator for the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC). Known as the voice of IFSC World Cups and World Championships, Groom will host a 30-minute talk at High Rock on ‘The Evolution of Climbing in Competitive Sport.’ His insights promise to provide a deep look into the transformation of climbing from niche adventure to Olympic spectacle. Event: Sam Watson, Olympic Medalist and current World Record holder at High Rock Date: November 2, 2025 Location: High Rock, Powai, Mumbai

BJP Netas’ statements likely to damage Ajit Pawar

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Mumbai: There is a speculation that the BJP is making systematic efforts for the Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s defeat in the Assembly election. The statement made by BJP legislator Sadabhau Khot against NCP(SP) supremo Sharad Pawar is looked upon as the first step towards turning the noose around Ajit Pawar.


On Wednesday, while addressing a gathering in Sangli district, Khot passed remarks comparing Sharad Pawar’s face with Maharashtra’s roads. “Whether Pawar intended to make Maharashtra like his face,” Khot had said.


His comments drew sharp reactions from both the wings of NCP.


According to sources, these remarks were part of a well calculated move of the BJP. The party’s think tank is fully aware of the fact that people in Baramati along with Pune district and Western Maharashtra don’t like any adverse statement against Sharad Pawar. So the saffron party made this first move with the help of Khot to corner Ajit Pawar.


Minister Chandrakant Patil, just before the Parliament election visited Baramati and said, “BJP wants to defeat Sharad Pawar at any cost.” After the result of the Lok Sabha election Ajit Pawar openly blamed the BJP minister for negative impact in voting. “Patil should not have made the statement against my uncle,” the deputy CM has said. Pawar’s wife lost in Baramati to Supriya Sule by more than 1.5 lakh votes. The statement possibly resulted in a sympathy wave for the veteran leader.


People in Baramati have strong feelings about Sharad Pawar. They vociferously oppose any tirade against him. So the BJP has made a plan to hammer the Pawar senior on regular interval till the date of election, sources added.


With the candidature of Nawab Malik, the rift between BJP and NCP has widened. The BJP has officially declared that it would not campaign for the NCP candidate Nawab Malik. Ajit Pawar also ignored BJP’s displeasure. Due to which the tension between two parties have reached the peak. Upset BJP leadership has now decided to target Sharad Pawar to hamper the prospects of Ajit Pawar in Baramati constituency.

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