Polish climber Aleksandra Miroslaw made history during the women’s speed climbing qualification round on Monday.
The 30-year-old entered the competition already holding the world record in the event, having set a time of 6.24 seconds during qualification for Paris.
Clearly not content to rest on her laurels as she looked to earn her place in the next round of the competition, Miroslaw embarked on a incredible run during the seeding round.
In her first attempt she bettered her world record by three one hundredths of a second, clocking a time that left her well ahead of her nearest challenger.
Miroslaw wasn’t done yet though, and just minutes later returned for a second attempt.
Aleksandra Miroslaw made history for Poland in the women’s speed climbing
In qualifying the Polish Olympian twice broke her own world record in less than five minutes
Having already improved on the record, Miroslaw comprehensively smashed it in her second attempt, recording a time of 6.06.
The two-time world champion now holds all the top ten records by a woman in the event.
American Emma Hunt ultimately qualified in second place, finishing with a time of 6.36.
Miroslaw previously competed at the 2020 Games in which climbing made its Olympic debut.
While she set a world record in the finals in Tokyo, the sport was controversially included only as a combination of three separate climbing disciplines — speed, lead climbing, and bouldering — and ultimately finished fourth in the overall standings.
Speed climbing has been separately included as an event in Paris, and Miroslaw will enter Wednesday’s final as the favourite to secure gold.
Poland have yet to claim gold in Paris, but u57kg boxer Julia Szeremeta has already guaranteed bronze by reaching the semi-finals where she will face the Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio on Wednesday.
