This definitely is one for the record books: 16-year-old Aaron Fotheringham became the first person to ever accomplish a complete back-flip in a wheelchair.
Fotheringham recently entered the Guinness Book of World Records after performing the stunt in late October to the delight of a crowd of more than 300 people at Doc Romeo Park in his hometown of Las Vegas.
Fotheringham first accomplished the stunt unofficially in 2006, but had yet to seal the deal with the folks at Guinness. Fotheringham has spina bifida, and has been in a wheelchair since he was 3.
Fotheringham also attempted to set the record for the most consecutive back flips in 45 seconds. He unofficially has accomplished six back flips in a row, and wanted to get at least two within 60 seconds, but was too tired to nail the trick.
“I’m a little bit disappointed I didn’t get the consecutive flips, but I guess I’m taking it for granted that I got in the book,” the intrepid Fotheringham said.
To see Fotheringham in action, search under his name on Youtube.com to see various video snippets of the daredevil performing flips, jumps and other tricks. Here are two quick links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc1YdL_w1Hg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1vp2m8i8d8
