Japanese youngster breaks dizzying aerial hoop record after being inspired by her sister

A nine-year-old girl who was inspired to become an aerial hoop performer after watching her big sister in a class has broken a world record in the tricky circus discipline.

Little Suzu Haebaru (Japan) has been practising since she was just four.

And last June, she claimed the record for most aerial hoop somersaults in one minute (female) by twirling around a dizzying 67 times.

Suzu said: “My older sister was also attempting a Guinness World Records title, so I wanted to take part too! I chose somersaults because they are my best trick on the aerial hoop.”

And in fact, her sister Sara claimed the record for most aerial hoop rotations on the neck in 30 seconds with a total of 62 on the very same day.

What a pair of superstars!

For her trick, Suzu hung from the hoop with her elbows hooked around it. Swinging her legs to create momentum, she spun around and around, bending her legs so she’d pass through the hoop over and over again for an entire 60 seconds.

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Suzu, who is in elementary school and has another older sister and a brother, said of her attempt: “I didn’t feel dizzy while spinning, but when I got down, I felt so dizzy that I couldn’t walk. I had to sit down for a while.

“After around 50 somersaults, my speed started to slow down, so it was difficult to keep rotating without stopping.”

And Suzu isn’t stopping there, as she says she’d love to attempt more records in the future.

Sharing some gratitude to those who helped her, she added: “I’d like to thank Akane and Hiro for preparing everything for this challenge, my family, everyone who cheered me on, and all my aerial hoop friends for their support.”