The challenge was a test of speed, skill, endurance, and mental strength. Imagine doing the double under rope drill for 12 hours! This means the rope makes two passes per jump instead of just one, so a skipper needs to jump higher than usual.
It’s not an easy skip-rope trick. It’s also physically taxing. And Ryan Alonzo not only surpassed the 20,000 world record set by the Guinness for it, he even doubled it. Despite having to deal with cramps halfway through, he was able to do 40,980 double under skips during a 12-hour period.
The record-breaking feat was achieved Saturday from 7AM to 7PM at the Ayala Malls Circuit Makati. It was witnessed by members of the Philippine Jump Rope Association and @jumpfestph, an online Jump Rope Community. Ryan, now fondly called “Skipman,” has already submitted the required documentation and is currently awaiting the official recognition from the Guinness World Records.
Ryan, now 34 years old, has been into skipping rope for about 10 years now. But he used to do it only as a warm-up for his sports activities. He’s into boxing, basketball, and has also joined a marathon. But when the gym he used to go to closed down due to the pandemic, the fitness enthusiast decided to skip rope for some cardio exercise. “I live in a condo, so medyo limited ang space. So skipping rope ang pwede ko gawin,” the nephew of Dr. Willie Ong tells ANCX.
He checked the internet for inspiration and that was how he discovered @jumpfestph on Instagram. “Dun ko nalaman na ang interesting pala ng mundo ng skip rope. Ang dami palang tricks na pwedeng gawin dito. Dun na ako mas naging interested. Ngayon, hindi na lang siya basta warm-up exercise, sport na talaga sya,” he says.
The members of the group are very encouraging and supportive, says Ryan. They share techniques on gaining skills and improving form, among others.
For the Guinness feat, Ryan enlisted the help of Gadric Chusenfu, who previously mentored him when he was preparing for a marathon three years ago. “He’s a triathlete so what we did was try to apply the principles of his training to jump rope. I also applied my marathon experience here,” he says.
During the challenge last Saturday, Ryan experienced cramps due to insufficient hydration, but he was relieved soon enough after drinking water. His cousin Benzi Yang, a champion from De La Salle University, also volunteered to stretch Ryan’s legs. Family and friends were also present and provided moral support.
Ryan credits basketball and marathon training for his endurance and the strength of his legs. Meditation and practicing mindfulness also helped improve his mental stamina. “Yung first four hours na nag-skip rope ako, wala akong naramdamang pagod,” he says.
Asked about the fulfillment he gets from skipping rope, Ryan says it’s being able to “unlock” rope tricks and eventually mastering them. “Medyo nakaka-adik sya,” he says. “Minsan, hindi mo namamalayan na you are two or three hours in already.”
Skipping rope is also an effective way to lose weight and get fit, he says. “All you need is a skipping rope and a parking space good enough for one car.”