A senior secondary school one student of Ijapo High School in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Gbenga Ezekiel, has entered the Guinness World Records.
According to a report on Saturday February 18, 2023, Ezekiel’s most skips in one minute on one leg won him the award.
Ezekiel recorded 265 skips in his attempt, beating the previous record of 262 skips, which was held by Bangladesh’s Rasel Islam, the report unveiled.
“The 16-year-old’s attempt became a record about four months after his attempt at the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure,” the report said.
The feat was communicated to the national coach of the Nigeria Rope Skipping Federation, Chubuisi Ukandu, and has also been updated on the Guinness World Records website.
“The most skips in one minute on one leg is 265 and was achieved by Gbenga Ezekiel (Nigeria), in Akure, Nigeria, on 31 October 2022.
The attempt took place at the Akure stadium,” Guinness World Records confirmed on their website.
After his attempt last October, Ezekiel hoped it would be approved for the records and with the same enthusiasm, he couldn’t contain his joy after it was ratified.
“I am very happy that my record has been ratified. I feel so special to be a Guinness World Record holder after taking inspiration from videos I have seen on the internet.
“I thank my coach for his efforts since he introduced me and other students to rope skipping. I am proud of my achievement and I wish to do more in the future,” Ezekiel told our correspondent.
Ezekiel becomes the first athlete from Ondo State as well as the first Nigerian and African rope skipper to achieve a Guinness World Records title.