Chinese boy, 10, sets Guinness World Record by juggling football more than 8,000 times
- ‘I’m so happy to set the record. Everyone wants to see my certificate,’ says Tang Jinfan
- Tang hopes to join a professional football club in China, and eventually play for the national men’s team
A 10-year-old Chinese boy from Shenzhen has set a Guinness World Record for “keepy uppies” by juggling a football 8,147 times with alternating feet in the space of one hour.
In September 2022, Tang Jinfan had made 7,056 consecutive touches with his left and right feet within the space 50 minutes.
His coach Lin Xiaozhong saw his potential to become a record holder, and Tang followed his advice.
Tang’s effort works out at around 135 touches per minute – more than 2 per second – on average, for a total of 3,600 seconds.
“In our football club, many teammates can juggle the ball over a thousand times with both feet, but I am the best performer,” Tang told the Guinness World Records website.
“I’m so happy to set the record. I told the school principal, coach Lin, my teachers, friends, and my club. Everyone wants to see my record certificate.”
Tang revealed he does half an hour of warm-ups and basic training every morning, followed by two hours of friendly matches with teammates in the afternoon, before matches against other clubs on the weekends.
“I love the atmosphere in the team,” he added. “Every day, every member of the team makes small progress compared to yesterday.
“Football has allowed me to make more good friends. I like to be in a team where we can compete with each other and trust each other.
“Now I know that the winner will not be decided until the final whistle is blown on the pitch, and any outcome can be reversed. Therefore, everyone must persist until the last second of the game and never give up.”
Tang said that he dreams of attending Shenzhen University, and then hopes to join a professional football club, and eventually play in the China national men’s team.
“Boldly ask others for help, whether it’s the coach or teammates. Don’t get upset by temporary setbacks. Communicate with others, maintain a positive attitude, and believe in yourself,” Tang said, when asked what advice he would give young children who have taken up football.
