- Challenging climb of 78 meter high tower
- Race completed in 48 minutes 36.327 seconds
- The only Indian woman to become unfit
Pune: 43-year-old Aparna Upadhyay from Pune has recorded a historic performance in the highly challenging 'IHH Sky Race' held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He successfully completed the race by climbing the 118 floors and as many as 2845 steps of the 678.9 meter (2227 ft) tall 'Merdeka 118' tower, which is considered the second tallest building in the world, in just 48 minutes 36.327 seconds. She has become the only Indian woman player to achieve this feat while representing India in this world tournament.
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Aparna has been active in 'Vertical Running' (a race to climb the stairs of skyscrapers) organized under 'Tower Running World Association' (TWA) for the past 5 years. Before Merdeka 118, on 20 August 2026, he climbed the 39-story, 1,256-step 'Fraser Tower' in Singapore for the third time in a row. After that, he completed the 'Merdeka 118' tower race by reaching Kuala Lumpur in just two days (on August 22). He proved his physical fitness and mental toughness by completing two grueling international races in a span of just 48 hours.
Dombivli to World Skyscraper Journey
Originally educated in Dombivli, Mumbai, Aparna became a Punekar from 2020. He practiced regularly at 'Gateway Tower 100' in Hadapsar area of Pune for these challenging races. After moving to Singapore for higher education, he started participating in vertical running competitions. Currently, Aparna has secured the 98th rank among 111 women runners registered in the world rankings of the 'Tower Running World Association'.
Remarkable performance by Aparna Upadhyay
- Ping An Financial Centre, China (January 2025): 17th place in the women's category, completing the 116 floors and 3201 steps of the world's fifth tallest tower at 547.6 meters in 1 hour 05 minutes 11 seconds.
- Taipei 101 Run-Up, Taiwan (2025): Successful climb of a 508-meter tall building.
- Singapore Local Championship (July 2025): 2nd place (podium finish) by climbing a 39-story tower in just 7 minutes.
- KL Tower, Malaysia (November 2025): Successfully climbed the 421m tall tower.
- Everest Base Camp (November 2025): Base Camp Expedition successfully completed.
International tower runner, Aparna Upadhyay said, 'More and more women should come forward in such adventure sports. It will increase health awareness and give strength to face challenges. When a woman moves forward with faith in her own strength, no building seems too tall and no goal is out of reach. Society will advise you to take the safe route, but your true potential is what drives you to soar.'
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