Throwback on the 2024 Parkour World Cup in Montpellier (FRA), 10-12 May 2024, women’s and men’s Speed and Freestyle competitions, first stage of the FIG Parkour World Cup Series 2024 where Brick was back as the official infrastructure supplier of the FIG Freestyle and Speed Parkour World Cup, organized in collaboration with the FIG and the FFG.
Parkour World Cup: Hometown hero takes Montpellier gold
Third time was the charm for Nathanael Trier (FRA), who dominated the men’s Freestyle competition in his third appearance at the Parkour World Cup in Montpellier (FRA) 10-12 May.
Spin to win
The new code of points opened the door for even higher difficulty scores – an opportunity Nathanael Trier (FRA) did not waste. Posting a difficulty score 2.5 marks higher than the closest competitor and performing the first triple gainer-full in competition, Trier twisted his way to victory ahead of podium regulars Tangui Van Schingen (NED), who collected silver, and Elis Torhall (SWE) in bronze.
Taking to social media after the event, Trier was rightly proud of his stunning win. “I love this sport more than anything,” he wrote. “Thank you Elis Torhall (SWE) for pushing it like you do, I’m going to train hard to do the same. Congratulations for your crazy performance. Bravo Tangui Van Schingen – you’re too strong in addition to being a speed machine. After this victory I just want to train harder.”
Men’s Freestyle podium
China takes women’s Freestyle Gold
While all eyes were on Ella Bucio (MEX) and Adela Merkova (CZE), Chinese competitors Li Meihui and Shang Chunsong took the competition by storm in their first international competition. Shang, a Bronze medallist in artistic gymnastics at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro (BRA), stunned the judges, posting a difficulty score of 1.0 whole marks above the highest-ranked men’s competitor, collecting the first World Cup Gold for the People’s Republic of China.
Bucio fought bravely and delivered flawless execution but was edged out of the top spot by just one-tenth of a point.
The battle for third pitted the superior difficulty of reigning World Cup series champion Merkova against the clean execution of Li. Coming down to the wire, Li took bronze by just 0.4 points.
Women’s Freestyle podium
Tibbling continues winning streak
Miranda Tibbling (SWE) fought off a spirited effort by all-rounder Bucio to retain her unbroken streak as World Cup champion in the Speed competition, which now extends to six FIG World Cup events.
“I’m so happy right now!” Tibbling said after the event. “Thank you to everyone who always supported me and believed in me! Congratulations to everyone else who competed. We all did so good!”
Bucio collected a second silver medal just six-tenths of a second behind Tibbling, while Spain’s Marta Gutierrez edged out Noa Man (NED) for the bronze medal by 0.24 seconds.
Women’s Speed podium
Breaking speed limits
The men’s Speed event delivered one of the most exciting and hotly contested battles in FIG World Cup history.
2022 Montpellier World Cup champion and overall 2023 World Cup Series winnerJaroslav Chum (CZE) delivered a breathtaking performance to retain his spot on top of the rankings. Defeating silver medallist Caryl Cordt-Moller (SUI) by just 0.07 of a second with a late surge on the return run across the course, the reigning champion threw his shirt into the River Lez and was celebrated by the packed crowds along the Montpellier embankments.
The surprise of the tournament was Liziano Ostiana (NED), who edged out fellow countryman Van Schingen to steal a bronze medal in his World Cup debut.
“Third place at my first World Cup,” said Ostiana. “Such an unreal feeling. I aimed for top five and got third so I’m more than happy!”
Men’s Speed podium
On to Portugal
The next World Cup event will take place in Coimbra, Portugal, from September 13th to 15th, 2024. For the first time, a World Cup course will be constructed in the Parque Verde Mondego, along the banks of the Mondego River.
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