TEHRAN – Mohammadreza Safdarian of Iran claimed a gold medal in the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) Ice Climbing World Cup in Cheongsong, Korea on Saturday.

He topped the Men’s Lead final with 15.34 seconds, followed by Mongolia’s Kherlen Nyamdoo (15.99) and Korean Hyeongsub Lim (18.67).

The opening UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup of the 2023/24 season takes place in Cheongsong from Jan. 12-14.

The South Korean venue has been a regular host of World Cups and Asian Championships throughout the past decade.

The event has brought a total of 88 athletes from 16 countries together. Host nation South Korea has the largest contingent with 25 athletes.