Parkour prodigy conquers Guinness World Records 2026 after losing his leg
Nothing can keep parkour superstar Rubén Roldán Bustos from reaching his goals.
Hailing from Rincón de la Victoria, near Málaga, Spain, Rubén’s life changed forever in April 2011. At only nine years old, he got involved in a tractor accident that resulted in the amputation of his left leg.
After the tragic event, Rubén set himself a goal: to prove that nothing could stand in the way of his dreams.
Today, the 23-year-old athlete is one of the protagonists of the new Guinness World Records 2026.
“Let no one say where your limits are,” he says.
You set the limits, because no one knows your body better than yourself.
Rubén's record titles to date include:
- Most consecutive parkour retour jumps (LA1) – 13, in February 2024
- Highest running jump onto a platform (LA1) – 1.36 m (4.46 ft.). The record was broken on 4 November 2024 in Spain.
- Farthest standing jump parkour dash (LA1) – 2.76 m (9.05 ft), on 4 November 2024
- Highest vertical leap with a running start (LA1) – 1.30 m (4.2 ft), on 4 November 2024
All of Rubén's records were broken under the LA1 impairment category, which refers to a unilateral above-the-knee amputation. Unilateral means that the amputation involves a single leg.
Records must be fair, inclusive and accessible for all.
Inclusivity is a pivotal element of record-setting: that is why Guinness World Records has created its impairment classifications for sport, strength and journey records, as well as reasonable adjustments whenever needed.
Such categories ensure a level playing field for all challengers, remarking that record-breaking is for everyone, everywhere.
According to the Spanish magazine SUR, Rubén discovered parkour in his early teens thanks to a 17-year-old friend and never looked back.
“Parkour saved my life,” he said to Guinness World Records. “It’s shown me that anything is possible.”
Already a keen footballer, bike enthusiast, video gamer and music fan, Rubén developed a burning passion for the sport, attracting the attention of the parkour community in 2014.
He also secured several TV appearances, including the first season of Teceinco's Got Talent España in 2016, and Got Talent Germany.
“[Parkour] is my life,” he said during a 2015 interview with SUR. “When I’m doing parkour, I disconnect from everything else. I aim to improve every day.”
Indeed, Rubén went on to demonstrate an iron will, embracing every challenge with a positive attitude and propelling himself to the highest peaks of record breaking.
Rubén collected his first world record in February 2024, during an appearance on the Italian TV show Lo Show dei Record.
On that occasion, he put his talent to the test on-camera by attempting the most consecutive parkour retour jumps (LA1).
For the challenge, Rubén, who wasn’t wearing his prosthetic, quickly bounded back and forth between two parallel walls standing at 2.25 m (7.38 ft) from each other. The audience held a collective breath, watching the never-tried-before stunt.
After a nerve-wrecking attempt, the Adjudicator's verdict: Rubén had smashed the challenge with 13 jumps, setting the record and making Guinness World Records history.
However, that was only the beginning of a nail-biting, record-setting journey.
The young record holder was on a roll.
In November 2024, barely a few months after the triumph of his first world record, Rubén once again set himself an ambitious challenge.
Supported by the Pho3nix Foundation (a non-profit organization that motivates children to enjoy the benefits of sports and helps youth from less fortunate backgrounds) and keen to prove his strength, stamina, and resilience, the athlete tried to break three records in just one day.
The attempt took place in sun-soaked Almeria, Spain, under the scrutiny of Guinness World Records Adjudicator Will Munford and a filming crew.
“I have to make perfect moves,” the record holder explained.
Perfect strength, perfect distance. Everything has to be perfect.
And he was right, as the records were no easy feat.
Despite some initial struggles keeping his balance, he kicked off the day by breaking the record for the highest running jump on to a platform (LA1).
With no time to lose and plenty of stamina to go, Rubén tackled his next endeavour: jumping from one platform to the other for at least 1.82 metres (roughly 6 ft) to achieve the farthest standing jump parkour dash (LA1).
Not only did he surpass the previous record with ease, but he also effortlessly improved with every attempt until he achieved the final result of 2.76 m (9.05 ft).
Last, but not least, it was time for the highest vertical leap with a running start (LA1).
Once again, the athlete claimed the record with a jaw-dropping leap: he sprang a whopping 1.30 metres (4.2 ft), surpassing the minimum of 1.10 metres by 20 cm and snatching the title.
Read here all the details about Rubén's successful record-smashing day.
However, Rubén doesn’t only stand out thanks to his jaw-dropping jumps and determination to soar as high as he can.
Eager to overcome all barriers, both mental and physical, he is also determined to empower others.
The Guinness World Records 2026 superstar continues to pursue his passion for parkour, encouraging other athletes to aim for the stars with words of encouragement and jaw-dropping stunts.
“From here, I encourage anyone who has one leg or another difficulty,” Rubén said to Guinness World Records, “because everything is possible.”
He carries on: “You just have to have the desire to take on the world, it doesn’t matter what people tell you, because the only one who knows what they can do is you.”
You just need the right attitude to be able to achieve whatever you want.
As stated on his biography on the Pho3nix Foundation website, his feats "motivate many and show that the only limits are those you impose on yourself."
Despite his young age, Rubén continues to redefine the paradigm for parkour.
He left his mark in the annals of record breaking while nurturing the next generation of challengers, and we are sure that many other record-setting adventures await him in the future.
We can't wait to see what goals Rubén will set in the future, as he continues to rise above and fulfil his dreams.