Tyre-flipper Batts sets a new Herculean world record for charity
Batts had to displace over 85 tonnes, bend down 1 001 times to pick up the tyre and he did it all barefoot!
A Wonderboom resident made history last weekend, when he flipped an 85kg bulldozer tyre, 1 001 times.
Multi-world record tyre-flipping record holder and Sport Against Crime founder Chris Batts (62) set the new world record, while barefoot, on Saturday, 24 April, in White River, Mbombela.
Batts aimed to do so in under three hours.
After he reached 1 000 flips in only two hours and 23 minutes, and with 37 minutes to spare, his hands were checked and it was decided that it was best to stop due to severe blisters on both hands.
But in typical spirit, Batts decided to flip the tyre one last time in front of a jubilant crowd of friends and supporters.
“It was all about time,” he said.
“I knew I had to flip the tyre 1 000 times in order to officially be recognised for the attempt It was tough, but the support was amazing and the crowd cheered me all the way.”
Batts currently holds 31 world records including the most flips of an 85kg tyre in eight hours, the fastest time to ride a wheelchair for 10km and the fastest time to pull a car 5m while in a wheelchair.
“The community and the children were fascinated by the difference one can make by simply flipping a tyre and there has been a tremendous interest in tyre flipping,” Batts said.
Batts, who is also a radio presenter, will live stream at the corner of Dr Savage and Steve Biko roads on Friday, 30 April. He will be speaking about victim empowerment, a subject close to his heart.
Officers from the Moot station will hand out flyers to passers-by to educate the community about victim empowerment.
A portion of the money raised during last week’s event was handed to Paediatric Care Africa in order to help fund children’s medical care in Mpumalanga.
Surika van der Merwe of Paediatric Care Africa said that the support from the community was much appreciated and never taken for granted.
“Thank you to everyone and congratulations Chris on your Herculean achievement,” she said.
“Chris, we do not have the words to thank you for what you have done for Paediatric Care Africa and we and the world is totally impressed with your remarkable achievement.
“You have contributed to making this event possible so that our children can benefit from it,” said Van der Merwe.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
