Emma Hunt breaks 6-second barrier in speed climbing, sets world record at 5.99 seconds in Krakow

The record run

Emma Hunt, a 23-year-old American ranked fifth in the world, set a world record on Saturday at the IFSC World Cup in Krakow. In the quarterfinal round of the women's speed event, she clocked 5.99 seconds on the standard 15-metre wall, becoming the first woman to break the six-second barrier. Hunt had led qualification with 6.05 seconds, ahead of Mirosław's 6.14.

Mirosław's reign ends

The previous world record of 6.03 seconds belonged to Aleksandra Mirosław, the Olympic champion from Paris 2024. The Polish climber had owned the last ten world records in the discipline. Her 6.03 mark was set at the World Championships in Seoul in October 2025, though one Spanish-language report dates it to September 2025. In February, on her 32nd birthday, Mirosław announced that she would retire after the 2026 season. The European Championships in August are scheduled as her final competition.

A dramatic final

Mirosław reached the final after a 6.04-second semifinal run, just one hundredth of a second off her career best. Natalia Kałucka joined her with a time of 6.37, while her sister Aleksandra Kałucka was eliminated in the semifinal round. The final had been expected to be a showdown between Hunt and Mirosław, the two fastest qualifiers. Mirosław lined up on lane B next to Hunt. She false-started and was disqualified. The victory went to Indonesia's Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi, with Kałucka taking second place.

What's next

The Krakow World Cup marked Mirosław's last competitive appearance on home soil. She will now focus on the European Championships before stepping away from the sport. Hunt's 5.99-second run resets the benchmark for a discipline that will be part of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic programme.