Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Indian Speed Climbers Embrace Asian Games Debut, Seek Support
Joga Purty and Deepu Mallesh are Indian athletes who race up climbing walls very quickly.
They are going to compete at the Asian Games for the first time.
Joga discovered climbing when she visited an academy with her brother.
Deepu began after a school coach introduced him to the sport.
Joga is 19, while Deepu is 28.
They feel more excited than nervous about representing India.
Their team will have a coach but no additional staff such as a physiotherapist.
They say climbing is growing in Indian cities but athletes need more chances to compete abroad.
India has not yet won a climbing medal at the Asian Games.
Joga Purty and Deepu Mallesh will make India’s first speed-climbing appearance at the Asian Games.
Joga, 19, began climbing at the Tata Steel Adventure Foundation Academy in Jamshedpur and recently broke her national record.
Deepu, 28, started climbing at age 11 or 12 and has competed on the senior circuit since 2019.
India’s original eight-member climbing squad was reduced to two under a top-eight-in-Asia selection criterion.
Both athletes say climbing needs more competitive exposure and stronger support, including facilities and assistance for international competition.
- Who
- Indian speed climbers Joga Purty and Deepu Mallesh.
- What
- They are preparing to represent India in speed climbing at their first Asian Games.
- When
- Their competitions begin on September 29; the report was published on September 24.
- Where
- The athletes are preparing in India; Joga is associated with Jamshedpur and Deepu is based in Bengaluru.
- Why
- They aim to perform for India while highlighting the need for greater competitive exposure and support for climbing.
Athlete Concerns
Current Provision
Support staff
Athlete Concerns
The climbers said having additional support, such as a physiotherapist, would have been better, although they can compete with only a coach.
Current Provision
The athletes said their performance would not be affected despite having only a coach as support staff.
Growth of climbing
Athlete Concerns
Deepu said Indian climbers need more opportunities to travel and compete, while Joga noted that some talented climbers leave because they lack facilities.
Current Provision
Deepu said access to facilities is not especially difficult and that climbing is growing in cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Pune.
- Athletes
- Joga Purty, 19, and Deepu Mallesh, 28
- Event
- Asian Games speed climbing
- Competition start
- September 29
- Sport format
- A one-on-one race up a 15-metre wall
- Indian team size
- Reduced from eight climbers to two
- Joga’s achievement
- Broke her national record at this year’s Asian Championships and finished inside the top 16
- Asian Games record
- India is yet to win a climbing medal at the event
- Future Olympic medals
- Six climbing medals will be at stake at the Los Angeles Games
