Moved to the US in 2020, Sets 17th Guinness World Record in Parkour, Reaching 20 Total Records

Nepali parkour athlete Dinesh Sunar has successfully set his 20th Guinness World Record. He achieved this feat in the category of “The Most Blindfolded Standing Backward Somersaults in 30 Seconds” within the disciplines of parkour and gymnastics in Akron, Ohio, USA.

“The most blindfolded standing backward somersaults in 30 seconds is 14, and was achieved by Dinesh Sunar (Nepal) in Akron, Ohio, USA, on 7 December 2024,” Guinness World Records confirmed today.

Dinesh set this record on December 7, 2024, at the Akron International Dance Festival in Akron, Ohio, as part of an event organized by the City of Akron government. He performed the record in front of more than 300 spectators from different countries and submitted the claim to Guinness World Records. The headquarters of Guinness World Records recognized and validated the achievement on December 20, 2024.

With this, Dinesh has successfully added his name to the Guinness World Records for the 20th time. This achievement marks the culmination of 12 years of hard work and perseverance.

Dinesh states, “It has been 12 years since I started attempting this record, and through constant effort, I have succeeded today.” He hopes to inspire the younger generation to take up parkour and elevate the country’s name on the global stage, setting a shining example.

Furthermore, he believes that his record in the U.S. will help strengthen the relationship between Nepal and the United States. Dinesh also has plans to provide parkour training in both Nepal and the U.S., aiming to produce top-level athletes and coaches at the international level.

Dinesh Sunar’s Parkour Journey

Dinesh Sunar’s extraordinary athleticism captivated his rural village. Leaping across fields and streams, he amazed onlookers, some even believing him to be the reincarnation of the Hindu deity Hanuman. This awe led to nicknames like “Hanuman,” “Pahalwan” (wrestler), and “the flying man.”

Villagers sought his blessings, treating him as a divine figure. His fame spread beyond his village, drawing crowds to his performances at local fairs and school events. Though unaware of the term “parkour,” he instinctively practiced its principles – leaping through self-dug pits and over piles of pine needles.

Despite facing hardships, including physical abuse from his landlord in Kathmandu, Dinesh’s talent shone. A chance encounter with Sant Kumar Basnet, then Director General of the Armed Police, during a volleyball competition changed his life. Basnet recognized his potential and invited him to Kathmandu for training, providing a pathway to pursue his passion professionally.

Stepping into a structured training environment in Kathmandu was a revelation for Dinesh. Surrounded by experienced athletes, he continued to amaze with his unique, self-taught skills. Driven by a desire to represent Nepal on the world stage, he set his first Guinness World Record in 2017.

This was just the beginning. He consistently broke records, achieving his fourth in the U.S. in 2020. Now, with his recent 20th Guinness World Record, Dinesh Sunar has not only achieved global recognition but also inspired a new generation of athletes in Nepal.