Title says it all. Here is something to think about on the drive home or to discuss with your friends over a beer tonight:
Roller-skating under cars might seem impossible, but it is the latest craze among kids in India and requires the flexibility, strength and balance of a gymnast.
Six-year-old Aniket Chindak holds the unofficial world record for ‘limbo-skating’ and speeds along no more than eight-inches above the ground.
Unfolding his body from his eye-watering position, the wonder-kid explained proudly how he is training to break his own world record of skating under 57 cars in 45 seconds. [Link]
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p>He is like a human transformer. He goes from upright human to some sort of crazy airplane looking thing. Unfortunately, like all other successful child freaks, he will probably go on to face disappointment in a business that exploits youth to provide blog and media fodder.
Can you spot him on Delhi roads? If so, page Somini! Quick! And how much does he charge for a ride?
“He is like a human transformer”
only in india!!
I’ll be really impressed if he gets under a Tata Nano
flipping heck his feet are at a bloody right angle!
How do we know he’s not a transformer? (already on 3rd beer).
[from the article] Sepiafanatics will nervously chuckle at the precocity of this child. But on a more serious note, contrast this with Budhia Singh, a five year old from Orissa who runs marathon distances. The government decided to asked his coach to cease training Budhia, amid a heated public debate where some suspected abuse and others thought that this kid was lucky to get an “aggressive” preparation that would get him worldwide recognition and a chance at real athletic glory.
“How do we know he’s not a transformer? (already on 3rd beer)”.
7th and he is a transformer!
I cringe looking at this, envisioning even the slightest accidental road rash. OW!
We covered Budhia also. All freaky Indian kids get covered here. Pssst. I’ll sell you some Budhia for $20 Run, Budhia, run (from your coach) A bride for Budhia
Oh Abhi: “go on to face disappointment in a business that exploits youth to provide blog and media fodder.” We can give him a home in Hollywood next to Chris Rock and Jackie Chan. With stunts like that, he’ll never need a double, but could make major bucks. The taller he grows, the cooler the cars he can get away from.
Don’t ask how I came up with this, but if they could some how attach a sail/fin to his back, he could be a human land-surfer – a true transformer. Maybe his sail could turn into a sword when he takes on his “robot” form.
He’s so cute, it’s sick. I can’t believe there are physical trophies for this “event.”
I wonder how he manages to fit in school with all that practicing…
I think he barely skates in under the bar.
12 · tamasha said
Flexible as he is, I bet he could fit in anywhere.
Another news report exoticizing the brown as contortionists, fakirs, and long fingernail growers. Compare the reaction by commentators in Amardeep’s latest post mentioning elephants on the road in Delhi. Dubble-standard, I tell you!
Why do you potray this kid negatively by calling him freaky and all that? There is nothing freaky about a kid who is flexible, strong and a balanced gymnast!
Qwerty,
IMHO, there is nothing inherently wrong with the word “freak”. While freak does have negative connotations, “Freak” can be used positively as well, to indicate that most people (the mainstream) cannot and do not posses this amazing ability. In this sense, I believe the word properly connotes the uniqueness and special talents of this boy. I do not think this takes away from his honed gymnastic abilities.
However, I believe Rudy C is correct when he states:
The question is Autobot or Decepticon? (Mixing Drinks at a pre-game party and pouring out some John Walker Blue for the ultimate “G“, Sir Edmund Hillary)
My 4 decade old knees and ankles are in pain just looking at him. Yikes!
As a mom, I am cringing because he doesn’t have a helmet. I never let my child get on a set of wheels (roller skating, ice skating, bike, razor scooter) without a helmet. Of course, his head is already so close to the ground as he skates under the cars and maybe that gives him a little bit of a safety advantage.
If only he grew out his ear hair, I could use it to harness him to my broken down Tata Nano and drag it to the garage before a rampant elephant tramples it.
For the unfamiliar, ‘Freak’ is a term used, as a compliment, to describe modern athletes with seemingly ‘inhuman’ abilities. Randy Moss, the Patriots amazing wide receiver, in fact has the nickname “The Freak,” and refers to himself as such every once in a while.