Belagavi lad skates his way into Guinness records

A skater from Belagavi, Karnataka, has set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest 100 m on inlines skates at 16.92 seconds.

Abhishek Navale from the Belgaum Roller Skating Academy achieved the fete on February 26 at the district stadium and recently received the Guinness World Record certificate.

Abhishek is studying in the first year at R N Shetty Polytechnic in Belagavi. His father Sanjay Navale works as a conductor with the KSRTC and mother Sujata is a homemaker. Abhishek has been practising for the last 11 years at Rotary Corporation Sports Academy and KLES skating rinks.

Videos of the attempt and all the required details were sent to the Guinness World Record and his attempt has been recorded as fastest in the world, said coach Suryakant Hindalgekar.

The coach told reporters on Thursday that Abhishek had earlier made it to the Limca Book of Records and India Book of Records. The state government has recognised Abhishek's achievement and rewarded him with a site and scholarship.

Hindalgekar said when the record was registered with the Guinness authorities, they were told to ensure that Abhishek completes the fete in 20 seconds, but he achieved it in 16.92 seconds.