The rock climbing team from Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) won two gold medals at the university group competition of the second Hubei Student Rock Climbing Championship, marking one of the team's strongest recent performances.
The university group event was held from June 20 to 21 at China University of Geosciences (Wuhan). HZAU athletes won two golds, three silvers and one bronze, and finished second overall in Group A, the non-sports-major group. The result marks one of the team's strongest recent showings at a provincial event.
This year's competition brought together 177 athletes from 15 universities across Hubei. Competitors took part in lead climbing, bouldering, combined events, speed climbing and speed relay races.
On the wall, HZAU climbers adjusted their body positions, read routes carefully and worked through complex holds in lead and bouldering events. In speed events, they relied on repeated training to maintain rhythm, control and explosive starts.
Team members balanced academic work with regular after-class training. Video reviews, one-on-one corrections and peer support helped improve route reading, body control and technical execution.
Wang Siru, who competed at the provincial level for the first time, said climbing is "not only about winning, but about challenging and surpassing oneself". Li Xiang from HZAU's sports department said campus rock climbing encourages students to face difficulties, push past their limits and maintain a spirit of persistence in both their studies and daily life.

HZAU climbers compete at the Hubei Student Rock Climbing Championship. [Photo/new.hzau.edu.cn]