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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

Clear all roads within 24 hours: HC to govt

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Mumbai: Taking strong note of the massive disruptions to normal life in the city, the Bombay High Court directed the government to clear off Maratha activists - led by Shivba Sanghatana President Manoj Jarange-Patil - who have laid siege to all roads in south Mumbai by Tuesday afternoon.


Conducting a special hearing to a bunch of petitions filed by the Army Foundation and others today, a division bench comprising Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad, noted that the Maratha pro-quota protesters have not remained at Azad Maidan - the designated place for the agitation - but blocked several vital areas in south Mumbai.


The state Advocate-General Birendra Saraf, lawyers of the petitioners and the Marathas as well as intervenors were present in full strength before the HC, and after hearing all sides, the court listed a series of directions to both sides voicing concerns over dislocations caused in Mumbai.


These included a go-ahead to the administration to initiate legal action as the protests lack official approval and directing the concerned authorities to prevent more Marathas from entering the city.


Terming the situation as “grim, with entire Mumbai practically at a standstill”, the judges said that the agitation was not peaceful, Jarange-Patil and others had flouted all conditions imposed by the administration when they were granted permission for the peaceful protest at Azad Maidan.


The judges also directed the authorities to immediately clear off and clean up all the roads near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Fort, Marine Drive, Churchgate and other parts and to restrict the protestors within the Azad Maidan itself, while posting the matter for hearing on Tuesday at 3 pm.


Questioning the government on how educational institutions and supply of essentials like milk and vegetables could continue if the protests continued, the judges noted with concern how even the high court proceedings were directly hit by the agitation as the entry routes of judges were also blocked.


Justice Ghuge and Justice Ankhad emphatically told Jarange-Patil’s lawyers that “no more than 5000 protestors could remain in the city”, asked whether they would adhere to the court’s earlier orders (August 26) and also if they would issue a media statement asking all excess demonstrators to leave Mumbai, while asking the government to provide medical aid to Jarange-Patil and food plus other amenities to the protestors.


The court’s rap occurred on the fourth day of the massive Maratha agitation spearheaded by Jarange-Patil that kicked off in Mumbai from Aug. 28 at Azad Maidan, with the state government saying it had not given permission for it.


After viewing the videos and photos of the situation with massive Maratha crowds hanging around, the jammed roads and railway stations, dancing, bathing, cooking and defecating in open places, causing massive inconvenience to the people, the judges sought their cooperation and stressed on the need to restore normalcy, especially with the upcoming Anant Chaturdashi - the Ganesh visarjan ceremonies on September 6.


Out of hand

The judges told the lawyers of Maratha groups that the agitation had gone “out of hand”, with a warning that Mumbai cannot become a hostage due to choked roads, questioning the government’s move on granting the protest permissions.


Noting media reports with Jarange-Patil threatening a fast-unto-death after going off water since Monday, vowing not to leave Mumbai till his demands for 10 pc reservations are conceded from the OBC category, the court said that the organizers had lost control over their activists.


From the Jarange-Patil side, advocates Shriram Pingle, Ramesh Dubey-Patil, and Vaibhav Kadam were present besides others from the petitioners and intervenors.


"Follow the high court's orders. Don't trouble Mumbaikars. Don't roam on streets, park vehicles in designated areas. Those who don't want to listen to me can return to their villages. Our people don't misbehave with journalists and indulge in hooliganism. I don't want the aspersions to be cast on my caste. I am going through a lot of pain and suffering for you and your children. If you behave in such a manner, then what's the use (of the agitation)?"

Manoj Jarange

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