Julian David’s dream Olympics debut has ended after being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the men's speed climbing.
The 19-year-old faced a daunting task in the final eight race at LeBourge Climbing Centre on Thursday, coming up against fellow teen and world record holder Sam Watson of the USA and was well-beaten.
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Watson was timed at 5.03 seconds, slightly slower than he has been going, but David, after a good start, faltered near the end and finally touched in 5.65 seconds.
Even so, David can look back on an Olympics in which he finished seventh in qualifying and won his elimination match against former world champion Reza Alipour Shenazandifard.
He was timed at 5.24 in one qualifying effort and 5.26 in his elimination victory.
“I tried my hardest today, maybe a little too hard at the end,” he said. “The margin of error is so small when you’re going that fast."
David said he was stoked to have made the eliminations, let alone the quarterfinals, and to come away with a personal-best was a bonus.
“I’m only 19. I’ve got longevity on my side. My goal is to give it [the Olympics] a go again.”