In a city known for its skyscrapers and sporting legends, Praveen Gupta has quietly created history—not with a bat or ball, but with a skipping rope. The 20-year-old athlete has set a Guinness World Record for the most backward rope crossovers on one leg in 30 seconds, completing an astonishing 69 repetitions.
This achievement, remarkable on its own, becomes even more powerful when placed in context: Gupta is entirely self-taught. He trained alone, without professional coaching, barefoot, and often indoors in his modest Mumbai home.
“I used to practice for hours on broken tiles and uneven flooring,” Gupta said in an emotional post. “I couldn’t afford proper shoes, so I focused on form, control, and repetition.”
A Record Forged by Resilience
Gupta began training at age 7, inspired by YouTube videos and global rope-skipping champions. With no access to a professional facility, he transformed his home into a personal gym—clearing furniture to make room for footwork drills and timing exercises. What he lacked in resources, he made up for in consistency.
Over the years, he quietly built a social media following with clips of intense routines and creative jump rope tricks. But he remained largely unknown to the mainstream until the Guinness recognition catapulted him into the spotlight.
“There were days when it felt pointless,” he wrote. “But I always told myself—consistency will pay off.”
Looking Beyond the Record: Japan 2025
Now, with a world record under his belt, Gupta is setting his sights on a larger stage: the World Jump Rope Championship 2025, to be held in Kawasaki, Japan between July 26 and August 3. The only thing standing in his way? Funding.
Despite the world record and years of achievement, Gupta lacks sponsorship. He has issued an open appeal to donors, corporates, and sports ministries for financial assistance to support his training, travel, and accommodation.
“I’ve made it this far on my own,” he said, “but to represent India on the world stage, I need support.”
A Voice for Forgotten Sports
Gupta’s story is more than a personal triumph—it’s a reflection of India’s lesser-known athletic talent pools. Jump rope, often overlooked as a schoolyard activity, has become a recognized sport globally, with federations and championships in over 30 countries.
His record also puts a spotlight on the challenges faced by young athletes pursuing non-mainstream sports in India—where even record-breakers must hustle for visibility, funding, and institutional support.
