A football mad youngster put his skills to the test to bag an impressive Guinness World Records title.
10-year-old Tang Jinfan (China) managed to juggle a football with his feet an astonishing 8,147 times to earn the record for most football (soccer) touches with alternating feet in one hour.
Tang was introduced to soccer during the summer vacation of his second year of primary school. Under the guidance of Coach Lin Xiaozhong, he went from mastering the basic skills to displaying extraordinary endurance in ball handling.
By September 2022, Tang had already achieved 7,056 consecutive juggles with his left and right feet within 50 minutes, and his coach saw his potential to be a record holder.
"In our soccer club, many teammates can juggle the ball over a thousand times with both feet, but I am the best performer," said Tang. Following his coach's advice, Tang set his sights on breaking the world record.
During his training at his soccer club, Tang would do half an hour of warm-ups and basic soccer training every morning, followed by two hours of in-team friendly matches in the afternoon. On weekends, he joined Coach Lin in participating in external exchange matches.
Through continuous honing of those basic skills, he improved his understanding and knowledge of soccer games. The team had a habit of summarizing after each game, helping everyone review their shortcomings and prepare for the next game.
In this highly intense competitive sport, Tang not only developed excellent physical fitness but also established his independent and strong character.
"I love the atmosphere in the team. Every day, every member of the team makes a small progress compared to yesterday. Soccer has allowed me to make more good friends. I like to be in a team where we can compete with each other and trust each other. Now I know that the winner will not be decided until the final whistle is blown on the field, and any outcome can be reversed. Therefore, everyone must persist until the last second of the game and never give up."
He added: "I'm so happy to set the record! I told the principal, Coach Lin, homeroom teacher, subject teachers, friends, and my soccer club. Everyone wants to see my record certificate."
With long-term systematic sports training, Tang also has clear goals for himself. His ideal university is Shenzhen University, in China, and he hopes to enter a professional soccer club, become a professional player, and even join the national team.
For his peers who have just started playing soccer, Tang's advice is: "Boldly ask others for help, whether it's the coach or teammates. Don't get upset by temporary setbacks. Communicate with others, maintain a positive attitude, and believe in yourself."
As well as a career in his beloved sport, Tang also has his sights set on some other record titles.
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