KUALA LUMPUR: Soh Wai Ching overcame adversity to emerge victorious at the inaugural Stairclimbing World Championships at the Dubai Holding Sky Run over the weekend.
Wai Ching set a new course record of six minutes and 52 minutes en route to the win at the Jumeirah Emirates Tower. The former mark of 6:55s was set by Poland's Piotr Lobodzinski in 2019.
Japan's Ryoji Watanabe finished second on 6:58s while Italy's Fabio Ruga (7:12s) was third.
Wai Ching, who collided with another racer and also slipped and fell during the race, said he was grateful to come through with the win.
"I consider myself very strong and tough mentally to be able to win this after the two incidents," said the 28-year-old on social media.
"The desire to win and achieve the course record was way higher than anything else. I gave it everything I had.
"I am so glad to achieve my target of getting the course record and also to fly our national flag on the top step of the podium.
"I am looking forward to coming back next year and aiming for a faster time."
The Jumeirah Emirates Towers is 311m in height and the race course covered 52 floors.
Wai Ching has been in fine form and his win in Dubai was his 12th victory on the trot.