Pritam Bhattarai
Kathmandu, May 6: Parkour King Dinesh Sunar has added another feather in his cap by setting a world record for the most blindfolded backward somersault.
He performed a staggering 13 flips in 30 seconds. The performance took place on the occasional celebration 76th anniversary established diplomatic relationship between Embassy of Nepal, USA and U.S. Embassy, Nepal at an exhibition in the University of the District of Colombia, Washington D.C.
“I am happy and sad too, I am always trying to increase the honor of the country and make the country known more than for myself. Whether the floor of the house is heated or not, I have added the world record to My Native land Nepal and my adopted home US,” writes Sunar on social media.
This feat is his 19th world record in parkour. His previous most recent record involved a display of parkour activity. He performed 21 dive rolls in one minute. The event took place in Queens, New York, USA, on 9 March 2023.
After he set his fifth world record in Akron on April 21, 2022, the city’s former mayor, Dan Horrigan, announced that April 21 would be celebrated as “Dinesh Sunar Day” every year in his honor.
Currently in New York, he boasts three world records in Nepal and 15 in the United States.
Considering “Dinesh Sunar Day” a memorable moment of his life, he said that he is preparing for setting another world record this week.
Sunar, 31, is a multi-talented athlete. A gymnast, stuntman and parkour instructor, Sunar, who has earned the title of the “Parkour King”, holds the total 19 world records to his name.
His other world records include the most blindfolded standing backwards somersaults, the most standing full twist backflips, the most parkour twisting backflips off a wall, the most backward somersaults against a wall, the most twisting backflips off a wall, and the most full twist backward somersault burpees.
Inspired by martial arts legends Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Tony Jaa, and a Nepali action actor, Nikhil Uprety, he also worked as a stuntman in movies, having worked in over a dozen Nepali and Bollywood movies.
“Representing Nepal in the international arena makes me feel so proud,” he says expressing his gratitude to all his supporters.
Meanwhile, the city of Akron in the U.S. state of Ohio has been celebrating April 21 as “Dinesh Sunar Day” in his honour, recognising his achievements in parkour.
Born in eastern Khotang district, Nepal, he dreams of opening a parkour school.
Thanking Akron city for honouring him, he says, “My ultimate aim is to establish a parkour school, contribute to the growth of the sport, and gain world recognition for parkour.”
