Dinesh Sunar, multiple Guinness World record holder, wants to share his passion for the western extreme sport known as Parkour.
By doing spectacular jumping tricks on buildings and in landscapes around Kathmandu, he promotes his country’s cultural assets and hopes to inspire youth in joining his bold venture.
Some people climb mountains to achieve their dreams, his focus goes towards rooftops and sandy hills.
Parkour, the closest thing to Spiderman
Parkour is a modern extreme sport brought by the French cinema industry. It consists of climbing urban infrastructures and performing dangerous stunts. It found its inspiration in military free running training, but without the professional gear. The objective: finding a way to go from a point A to B, the fastest and most spectacular way possible.
This combination of gymnastics and outdoor racing is increasing its popularity in the underground communities of western cities. Internet video platforms such as Youtube offered amateur athletes a fighting ring where they can share their latest jaw-dropping trails.
In Asia, it is still an unknown practice. But Dinesh is convinced it can become a popular trend in service of the countries openness to the world.
By © Bryan Kulka, Kathmandu Tribune, Nepal Tribune Media Pvt. Ltd.
Dinesh Sunar’s impressive billboard
In 2017, he wrote his name in the bible of superhumans: The Guinness World Record Book, making 18 backflips by leaning on a wall in 1 minute. In 2018, he secured his title by repeating with 16 backflips in just 30 seconds. And in 2019, he complicates things by making 12 Twisting backflips in 30 seconds.
Yet, despite these incredible performances, the government has difficulty recognizing his talent and offers him no support in the realization of his dream: to create a parKour park to introduce young people to the practice.
“I break these records so that people in Nepal, and the world, here about Nepali Parkour. I think it can help our country in many different ways. First, it is good exercise. Then it can be used in case another earthquake like in 2015 happens. And finally, it will show the beauty of our country.” Dinesh Sunar.
A plan slowly working. In 2016 he caught the eye of the World Parkour Federation. Its representatives invited him to the U.S so he can participate in the world championship. And despite a lack of training and equipment, he managed to pull himself to reach the 8th position.
Let’s hope for him he will continue to impress us and the rest of the world.
By © Bryan Kulka, Kathmandu Tribune, Nepal Tribune Media Pvt. Ltd.
