Pretoria youngster breaks rope skipping record
“My goal was never to break the record with only one skip. I pushed myself to the limit.”
An eight-time South African kickboxing champion, SD Heijns, earlier today pinned down a new record after a whopping 71 185 skips over a time period of eight hours.
The 21-year-old from Garsfontein in the east of Pretoria, broke the current record of 70 030 after seven hours and 52 minutes.
Heijns broke the former record set by New York athlete, Sella Rosa Rega.
He now has his sights set on attempting to break the record of 168 395 skips in 24 hours.
His father Adriaan, mother Sandra, sister Claudia and younger brother JC, were among the supporters cheering him on.
He managed an average of 148 beats per minute.
“As soon as you reach the seven-hour mark, the hype and adrenalin kick in.
“The past three months have been hard in terms of preparing for the actual event, but it paid off,” said Heijns soon after his breaking the record.
He added that without his support system, today’s event would not have been possible.
“I would like to give a huge shoutout to everyone who came out to support me today,” he said.
Heijns added that he was super proud of his number of skips.
“My aim was around 73 000 skips, but I am satisfied to have been able to break the record by over 118 skips.
Also read: Local Pretoria athlete to attempt world record for skipping rope
“My goal was never to break the record with only one skip. I pushed myself to the limit.
“I believe I will be able to complete a 24-hour record. I am super excited for the next challenge that lies ahead,” he said.
Former Protea netball player, Erin Burger, and 2021 IFC canoe-kayak world cup 2 competitor in Barnaul, Russia, Esti van Tonder, were some of the athletes who participated in a separate event.
The necessary video material will be sent to the Guinness book of world records to officially confirm the new record.
The event took place at Sun International’s Maslow Time Square hotel in Pretoria.
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