Check the video out first, then read on for the details.
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In case you’re a little dizzy from watching, here’s a recap: Army 2nd Lt. Jalyessa Walker did 49 back handsprings at halftime of Saturday’s game between Rice and Texas-El Paso. Once the folks at Guinness see the video, she’ll own the world record, besting a high schooler’s mark of 35 flips set last month.
Walker graduated from UTEP in May, according to this Associated Press report, and headed to Fort Lee, Va., to take the Basic Officer Leadership Course. She didn’t train while learning to lead, but she worked with her mother to get back into tumbling shape despite wrist tendinitis and leg pain that flared up after the 30-handspring mark during practices, according to the AP report.
Walker’s goal was 50 flips, but she stopped at 49 when she felt concrete under her feet and worried she’d run out of room, per AP, which did manage to work in that the officer had “apparently backed into the record books — head over heels.” At least the headline wasn’t “Flippin’ Amazing.”
Get more on the record-breaking attempt from the El Paso Times here.
