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Durham Gymnasts Set New Guinness World Record as a Human Skipping Rope

ByEmily

May 6, 2017

Gymnasts from Deerness Gymnastics Academy in Durham set a NEW GUINNESS WORLD RECORD for the most skips over a human skipping rope when they appeared on the CBBC TV Show Officially Amazing this week.

CBBC TV Show Officially Amazing is presented by Ben Shires and showcases the incredible and officially amazing people who are trying to break world records across the globe.

The skipping rope move is used in competitive acrobatic gymnastics at the very highest level. Four acrobats perform the skipping rope move, where two people hold the arms and feet of another person who is the ‘rope’ and then the fourth person jumps over the rope as they are swung around in circles – just like a skipping rope.

On the CBBC ‘Officially Amazing’ TV show, filmed at Durham Cathedral, two sets of gymnasts from the club competed against each other in an attempt to set a new world record. The gymnasts had to jump a certain number of times within a minute to set a NEW WORLD RECORD all observed under the watchful eye of the Guinness World Record official.

After beating the target set by the Guinness Book of Records, the first quartet became World Record holders for a few minutes before the second quartet narrowly jumped just a couple of more times.

The first quarter and now former official world record holders are Steven & Paul Dixon, Finn Gavin and Marcus Winship.

The second quartet and reigning World Record Holders are Jesse Heskett, Georgia Hewison, Liam Sneath and Angus Martin.

“Deerness Gymnastics Academy is very proud as a gymnastics club to be World Record Holders and listed in the Guinness Book of Records for an activity that is part of our everyday sport. The skipping rope is a move that we regularly perform in acrobatic gymnastics – just not for quite as long as a minute,” said Stuart Thompson, Acropolis coach and head of acrobatics at Deerness Gymnastics Academy.

“I’m thrilled that both teams set a world record – unfortunately only one team can be the holders but they all put in a lot of effort whilst training for this world record attempt and it is very well deserved.”

Deerness Gymnastics Academy has a long history of success in acrobatic gymnastics and we have lots of talented gymnasts,” said Stuart. “Although gymnastics is a hugely popular sport, acrobatics is a lesser-known discipline and it is great to be able to showcase it to a new audience again on this very popular children’s TV show. Acropolis also plays an important part in raising valuable income for our club as well as gaining our young gymnasts experience, so if the exposure generates further bookings for Acropolis then this will be very beneficial to the future of the club.”

The gymnasts are all elite acrobats from Deerness Gymnastics Academy in Durham. They also perform as Acropolis helping to raise valuable funds for their gymnastics club. Prior to this have won ITV talent show Let’s Get Gold, were runners-up in an international talent show on French TV called The best, appeared on SKY’s sports Quiz show ‘A League of Their Own’ as well performed with Ashley Banjo and Diversity on two national arena tours.

The record that was filmed at Durham Cathedral will be featured in episode two of the new series which will be on CBBC on Wednesday the 24th May at 17:30. This episode will also be repeated at 19:30 on the same day, and again on Saturday
at 8.30am and again at 7 pm.

Deerness Gymnastics Academy, which has Matt Baker as its patron, has become one of Britain’s top gymnastics clubs over the past twenty years, with over 100 international gymnasts with more than seventy World and European medallists, including fifteen World and European Champions in its roll of honour. It is not only one of the most successful clubs in Great Britain but it is also recognised on the International scene as one of the top clubs in the world.

Gymnastics coaching in acrobatics, tumbling and trampolining is available to all ages from novice to elite level. Recreational classes are available for children from 3 years and baby gym sessions take place on weekdays.

 
To find out more call: 0191 373 9419 or visitdeernessgymnastics.org or follow on twitter @deernessga or find on Facebook.

By Emily