Amongst all the dishearting news about the pandemic, especially from the peninsula comes a positive one
eventually. Rohitesh Upadhyay, a young Sportbike Freestyle Rider from a humble city Udaipur, Rajasthan in India has been registered in the Guinness World Book of records against the title of Longest No Hands Motorcycle Wheelie.
This amazing feat was attempted way back in the end of 2019 but the acceptance of the record came in just the last
week of April. The trick attempted by him is considered one of the most difficult tricks amongst different types of wheelies. Though the name is somewhat self-explanatory, the rider had to lift the front wheel of a motorcycle and had to even let go both his hands at the same time. He had to maintain the same posture from a starting line to as much distance possible. What is astounding is that this record stood at 89 meters earlier until Rohitesh managed to achieve 567 meters which is almost 6 times the original distance!
Watch him in the April Hall of fame of Guinness World Book of Records at 0:15 seconds
One can try to understand how tough this gig was by the fact that it stood unbroken for 17 years until Rohitesh
managed to do it! This not only makes it one of a kind feat but potentially the only Indian in this field to today have a Guinness World Record to his name.
Check out his entry in the Guinness world book of records here: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world- records/longest-no-hands-motorcycle-wheelie
Rohitesh is already pretty much decorated with 2 world records and a national record to his name too. He has a
career spanning over a decade behind him and of course these merits speak volumes about him. Getting candid with him gave us an opportunity to ask about what he had to say about this feat to which he replied, “I am glad that I could raise the name of India and my city Udaipur to new levels with my record. It took me years to practice the record and then break the same.” He also said, “I wish people recognize this as a serious skill and something more than entertainment. Also, I hope I can say to the youth of today to keep this activity off the streets as it is not only illegal but absolutely dangerous for both the rider and the road users.”
Rohitesh was in the news last year for the same title which was endorsed by International book of records (IBR) and Golden Book of Records (GWR). The International book of record’s stint was only 125 meters which was limited by the amount of space available. Being confident that he could actually go a greater distance provided the logistics are right, he took his will to attempt for Guinness World Records. Now of course, having a Guinness World Book of Record adds the biggest feather to his cap (rather helmet). His humble background, ethical attitude, discipline and sheer determination has been big points to convert this record.
What is even more exciting that his record has already been featured in 13 countries all over the world till date. All
the countries who have featured him are India, Armenia, Germany, Finland, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Italy, Hungary, Spain, Peru and Denmark. This potentially makes him India’s only Sportbike Freestyle rider with this much exposure on a global level. It’s good to see how Rohitesh has his own way to raise the flag of India high up the world. Shouldn’t we support and applaud his vision and talent?
We say more power to him!
