Veddriq Leonardo

Veddriq Leonardo, born on 11 March 1997 in Pontianak, Indonesia, is a competition speed climber who has redefined the sport for his nation. He first grabbed global attention in 2021 at the IFSC Climbing World Cup in Salt Lake City, where he not only won the men's speed event but also set a world record. He repeated that feat in 2023 in Seoul, reclaiming the record after holding it for about a year each time. His crowning achievement came at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he won the gold medal in speed climbing, making him the first Indonesian to win an Olympic gold outside of badminton. Leonardo's path to the top began in high school, where he was introduced to speed climbing. In 2014, he entered his first national championship in Tanjung Balai Karimun, finishing in the top eight. Two years later, he earned his first medal, a bronze, at the junior national championship in Bangka Belitung. His international debut came in 2018 at the Moscow World Cup, where he placed third. Since then, he has competed in numerous World Cup events and World Championships, consistently ranking among the world's best. His 2024 Olympic victory, achieved with a time of 4.75 seconds in the final, not only secured his place in history but also inspired a new generation of climbers in Indonesia and across Asia.[edit]

Veddriq Leonardo, the Indonesian speed climber who struck gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has yet to secure a placement in iFANN's published rankings. As of August 2026, his status is evaluated but unranked, meaning he does not currently appear in the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. While his fame engine assessment is pending, his real-world impact is unmistakable: he is a national hero in Indonesia, celebrated for his historic Olympic victory that broke the country's badminton-only gold streak.

His fanbase, though lacking a formal name, is fervent and widespread, concentrated in Indonesia but reaching global sport climbing enthusiasts. With over 152,000 Instagram followers, he actively engages with supporters, and his public appearances, like the Jakarta commemoration ceremony, strengthen his bond with the nation. His fans' collective power was evident when they mobilized to vote him The World Games Athlete of the Year 2024, an honor he won, joining only Adam Ondra among climbers.

While there are no documented fan campaigns, rituals, or inside jokes, his supporters' enthusiasm manifests in nationwide celebrations and unwavering support. As he continues to dominate, including returning to the top of the world rankings at the 2026 Chamonix World Climbing Series, his fanbase grows, solidifying his status as an inspirational figure both on and off the wall.[edit]

Veddriq Leonardo's career is studded with legendary moments. His crowning achievement remains the Paris 2024 Olympic gold, where he won the inaugural men's speed climbing event, marking Indonesia's first gold of those Games and the first-ever Olympic title in the discipline. That victory was preceded by his historic breaking of the five-second barrier, when he clocked 4.90 seconds in the quarterfinals of an IFSC event, a feat that stunned the climbing world and was preserved on Olympics.com.

His world-record journey began in Salt Lake City in 2021, where he won the IFSC Speed World Cup and set a new record. He later reclaimed the record in Seoul in 2023, holding it for about a year each time, making him a two-time world record holder. The rivalry with American Sam Watson added drama in Paris, as Watson broke the world record but missed the gold, which went to Leonardo, a story fans still relish.

More recently, he returned to the top at the 2026 Chamonix World Climbing Series, leading Indonesia to a sweep in speed climbing, proving his enduring dominance. His accolades include The World Games Athlete of the Year 2024 and a spot on Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia list, underscoring his impact beyond the climbing wall.[edit]