More than 60 athletes from 18 countries tackle a challenging 999-step parkour course at Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie, China.
More than 60 parkour athletes from 18 countries gathered at Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, central China, on November 4th and 5th for the fourth edition of the 2026 Parkour on the Highest Ladder competition. Over two days, competitors tested their speed, agility and creativity on a challenging course built along the mountain’s famous 999-step staircase, CNS reported.
The course starts at the entrance to Tianmen Cave, a natural archway on a sheer cliff more than 1,300 metres above sea level. It follows a narrow, steep mountain path towards the tourist square. The course covers nearly 300 metres, with a vertical drop of around 150 metres.
With an average gradient of 45 degrees, the course features five gentler sections, four steep sections and 108 sets of obstacles. The combination of sharp descents, uneven steps and obstacles demands precise control, balance and quick reactions from competitors.
The competition featured three events: men’s speed, men’s freestyle and women’s freestyle. However, changing weather conditions in the mountains affected the final day’s programme. After assessing safety conditions, organisers and judges decided to hold only the men’s freestyle final. The women’s freestyle and men’s speed finals were cancelled, with the final rankings in those events determined by preliminary results.
Sweden’s Elis Torhall won the men’s freestyle title with 22.8 points, delivering a fluid routine featuring a series of high-difficulty moves. Japan’s Onuki Kaito finished second with 21.4 points, followed by compatriot Yuinosuke Narita with 21 points.
China’s Shang Chunsong topped the women’s freestyle standings with 19.1 points from the preliminary round. Spain’s Marta Gutierrez took second place with 17.6 points, while Japan’s Nene Nagai came third with 15.1 points.
In the men’s speed event, China’s Li Yiqi claimed first place in 135.735 seconds. Colombia’s Carlos Pena and David Bedoya finished second and third in 138.861 seconds and 142.13 seconds, respectively.
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