A 10-year-old with big dreams and an even bigger name broke the record of Olympic sportsman Michael Phelps.
Clark Kent Apuada, otherwise known as "Superman," went through the distance of 100 meters in a butterfly style for 1:09:38 in the Western Long Course Championship.
The 10-inch went the same distance, more than a second faster than Phelps. Phelps set his record in 1995, in the same category for boys younger than 10 years old. His record consisted of 1:10:48 and for 23 years he was not reached by anyone.
Clark, of Filipino-American origin, is in fifth grade and has dreamed at seven years of age breaking the record.
"I was very motivated," Clark told the win. "I was happy and rescued that I managed to break the record."
Phelps ran for the first time at the age of 15 at the Olympics. Over the years, he became the most decorated Olympic sportsman in history with 28 medals on the chest.
A representative of Pacific Swim told Huffington Post that Clark's arrival was declared after the race.
"The crowd was thrilled when he realized that this little boy's performance just broke the 23-year record," said Cindy Rowland, the administrator of PacSeam.
Clark won first place in all the swimming events he attended this year, "confirms Rowland. PacSeim organizes the championship in which the 10-year-old ran.
Cynthia Apuada, Clark's mother, said the son was matching the name. She said she had always liked Clark's name. While her husband's favorite superhero was Superman. So, when their son came to life, they decided to call Clark Kent. The Nofka Superman came naturally.
"Let's say people called Clark, but realize that the full name is Clark Kent, they call it Superman," Apuada said. "It goes. My son is Superman in the water. "
Clark Kent, an alien with supernatural powers, used his skills to help humanity under the nickname Superman.
Apuada shows that her son was very motivated since at an early age. A few years ago, Clark began to remember the record of other swimmers at the nearby swimming clubs.
Consequently, Clark became part of the Monterey County Aquatic Team.
"She said herself," Apuada says. "Look at Mom, Michael Phelps has set a record. I'll pass it on. And she was only 7 years old. "
The new champion does not intend to leave that. His next goal: the Olympics.
"Paris 2024 or Los Angeles 2028," he said. "This record has motivated me to continue to swim, to continue working and to do everything to become an elite athlete."
Meanwhile, Clark is trained every day and does not give up on his philosophy:
"Never give up dreams," he said. "Never."
Source: Huffington Post
