Born: 1995
Biography:
Aries Susanti Rahayu, born on March 21, 1995, is a renowned sport climbing athlete from Indonesia. Known for her exceptional skills in speed climbing, she has earned the nickname Spiderwoman. Aries made history as the world record holder for women in speed climbing when she clocked an astounding time of 6.995 seconds at the 2019 IFSC Xiamen World Cup, becoming the first woman to conquer the speed wall in less than seven seconds.
From a young age, Aries displayed a natural inclination towards climbing. Whether it was trees in her backyard or the playground in the nearby parks, she would effortlessly scale them, displaying an innate talent for climbing. This passion would eventually lead her down the path of sport climbing.
In 2007, while still a junior high school student, Aries was introduced to sport climbing by one of her teachers. This marked the beginning of her journey in the world of competitive climbing. In 2017, she made her debut in the Climbing World Cup and achieved her first medal, a silver, at the World Cup in Xiamen.
Throughout 2017, Aries continued to showcase her climbing prowess, securing a third-place finish in the speed discipline at the Asian Championships in Tehran. The following year, she clinched her first gold medal at the Climbing World Cup in Chongqing. Her winning streak continued with a bronze in Tai’an and two more gold medals at the World Cups in Wujiang and Xiamen, all held in China. By the end of the 2018 season, she secured the second spot in the overall ranking for the speed discipline.
In a turn of events at the Asian Championships in Kurayoshi in the same year, Aries faced a setback when she false started in the semifinals, resulting in a third-place finish. However, she remained resilient and determined to overcome any obstacles thrown her way.
2019 marked a remarkable milestone in Aries’ career. Not only did she break the women’s world record in speed climbing with her impressive time of 6.995 seconds at the 2019 IFSC Xiamen World Cup, but she also became the first woman to complete a speed wall in under seven seconds. Her extraordinary achievement solidified her status as one of the most talented speed climbers in the world.
Beyond the climbing arena, Aries gained recognition on a global scale. In 2019, she was honored with a place on Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30 list, further cementing her status as an influential figure in the world of sport climbing. Aries serves as an inspiration to aspiring climbers worldwide, particularly women, breaking barriers and shattering records in a male-dominated sport.
Aries, a devout Muslim, upholds her religious beliefs by wearing a hijab while competing. She is a symbol of empowerment, showcasing that dedication and perseverance can overcome any obstacle, regardless of cultural or religious background.
Awards:
– World Record Holder for Women in Speed Climbing (2019)
– Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30 (2019)