TEHRAN – Reza Alipour of Iran advanced to the final of the men's speed climbing of the 2024 Olympic Games on Tuesday.

Team USA's Sam Watson climbed up the wall in 4.75 seconds, 0.04 seconds faster than the world record previously set by him in April.

Indonesian Veddriq Leonardo came second with 4.79 seconds, followed by Kazakhstan’s Amir Maimuratov (4.89).

Alipour qualified for the final with a run time of 5.06 seconds as the fastest elimination heat loser.

The top eight men advance to the final on Aug. 8.

Men's speed semifinal (Top 8):

Sam Watson (USA): 4.75 seconds (WR)

Veddriq Leonardo (INA): 4.79 seconds

Amir Maimuratov (KAZ): 4.89 seconds

Matteo Zurloni (ITA): 4.94 seconds

Wu Peng (CHN): 5.00 seconds

Bassa Mawem: 5.16 seconds

Julian David (NZL): 5.20 seconds

Reza Alipour (IRI): 5.06 seconds