Alonzo

‘Skipman’ Alonzo sets Guinness jump rope records

August 13, 2022 Ed Andaya 651 views

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A Guinness Book of World Records in jump rope for Filipino Ryan Ong Alonzo.

Make it two world records

And why not?

Alonzo, nicknamed “Skipman”, .will soon hold not just one, but two world records in jump rope. He surely wants to do more — and achieve more.

“Jump rope is both physically and mentally draining. But it’s all worth it,” said Alonzo during the 32nd “Sports on Air” program via Zoom recently.

Ten months after establishing the world record on mostnumber of double under skips — an activity where the participant needs to jump up higher than usual while swinging the rope twice under his feet– Alonzo outdid himself.

Last July 24, Alonzo shattered the world record for most number of consecutive jump rope crossovers during the “Unbreakable” event at the Ayala Malls Circuit in Makati.

“Last October 2021, I set the record for most number of double under skips in 12 hours. That one was already official dahil nakuha natin yung record. Then I did another one for a different record.

It is for the most number of consecutive jump rope cross-overs, na kung saan yung ico-cross mo yung arms mo tapos kailangan gawin consecutively na hindi pwede magkamali,”explained Alonzo.

The 35-year-old Alonzo said he is now waiting the Guinness Books of World Records to officially acknowledge his record-breaking feat.

Pending certification from Guinness, Alonzo surpassed the previous record held by Harbaksh Singh who completed the feat in Lok Vihar, Delhi in India in December 2019.

A product of Xavier University, Alonzo credited his coaches, particularly Benzi Yang, for helping him achieve his feat.

“Meron akong mga coaches. They helped me get into proper condition, kung paano maghanda para sa target record,” explained Alonzo, who started in the sport more than 10 years ago.

“Let’s say yun first record ko last October. It was really an endurance thing for 12 hours. So yung training ko doon, parang marathon. For the second one, it’s not just mental training but also a lot of physical training. I would say 50-50. The challenge of the last record I did was hindi pwedeng magka-mali sa jump rope kaya pag-nagtrick ako, simula ako sa zero na count, It’s very mentally draining than the last one.”

Why jump rope?

“I started jump rope more than 10 years ago already. But it’s more of like a warm-up for me. I didn’t really know how to do it properly and I just thought na parang it’s a way to get your body warmed up before mag-basketball or mag-gym. Pero nung pandemic na lahat ng gyms nakasara, mahirap makahanap ng space for exercise. Dun talaga nag-boom ang jump rope. I started doing jump rope seriously,” he recalled.

“There is also a jump rope community, na talagang very friendly.They will teach new tricks that really make the sport a lot more interesting. Madaming challenges that I can do pretty well, so I checked Guinness World Records, and I feel kaya ko naman gawin.”

Alonzo, who used to do a lot of marathon, is now encouraging more people to try jump rope.

“Doing jump rope is very simple and you can really do it everywhere. Yung space na kailangan, very little lang.Health-wise, malaking tulong din in getting me in good shape. You are moving your entire body when you do jump rope compared to other sports But I practice mindfulness.It’s a little new for some people, but I’’m a really advocate for that I feel na malaki talaga ang difference if someone is mentally prepared to do a certain thing.”

Family support is also a big help for Alonzo to achieve h is feat.

“I’m really very thankful sa support ng family ko.Nandun sila when I did the record in Makati. At first, medyo nagulat ako na madami nanonood dahil sanay ako mag-praktis sa bahay lang. It’s very different with people watching, people cheering.It could be a little distracting but I was able to block it out mentally.”

Alonzo also welcomed the establishment of Philippine Jump Rope Association through the efforts of president Noel Agra.

“It’s a welcome development, lalo na alam kon a talagang makatutulong sila sa pag-promote ng sport dito sa atin.. In doing my attempts, I also need the PJRA dahil parang sila magiging official witness natin. Ngayon madami na talagang interesado sa jump rope. If you checked the IG, ang daming mga nagpo-post ng mga jump rope content. People want to show their skills kaya talagang masaya.”

He said even well-known celebrities are now taking up jump rope.

“Even other athletes, like basketball players or boxers, are now trying it a little bit. Pati mga celebrities. And it can drive more and more awareness sa sport ng jump rope. I can see it growing bigger in the coming years.” With reports from Gab Ferreras

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