Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has congratulated a Nigerian born British roller skater, Tinuke Oyediran (aka Tinuke Orbit) for breaking two Guiness World record.
She broke the record for most cartwheel on roller skates in one minutes-30″ and most spins-on e-skates in one minutes 71″.
NiDCOM in a tweet praised the 27 years old professional roller skater for her feat on Guiness World Record Day 2020.
A circus performer and skating teacher by trade, Tinuke set herself the challenge at the beginning of lockdown to pass the time and soon realised that her talents could be record worthy.
As she progressed with her skills, Tinuke started pushing herself further and used her record attempts as a means of motivation at a time when she really needed some.
“Achieving both of these records has made my lockdown dreams a reality! For anyone who has struggled with lockdown like I did, setting yourself a challenge really can help you get through and I encourage everyone to just go for it.
“I never thought I would be standing here now with two Guinness World Records titles at the end of this year so I’m so pleased that the practice paid off,” Tinuke said.
Tinuke describes her cartwheel record as “hardcore” due to the fact it relied on her having amazing upper body strength.
She had to put her entire body weight PLUS another 5kg due to the weight of her skates onto one arm throughout her attempt to complete the cartwheel motion.
To be able to do this, she had to practice once a week, as she can’t do more than that, as doing it more often, can cause pain and put a lot of strain on her muscles.
The e-skate spins uses a whole different muscle group. Tinuke relied on her inner thighs to be able to do the 360 degree spin trick.
In order to spin, she had to bring her legs together tightly and keep them there whilst pushing her toes forward on one foot and pushing back on her heel with the other.
Tinuke started off her roller skating career in a show called Starlight Express which she did in Germany for two years.
She described the show as “the most 80’s, glam rock musical on roller skates you have ever seen! It is fab” and this is where she was taught to roller skate – whilst covered in glitter, of course!
Afterwards she returned to London and joined a group called Marawa’s Majorettes (also Guinness World Records title holders).
At Marawa’s Majorettes she started to hula hoop whilst roller skating at the same time!
Since then Tinuke has skated all over the world and teaches classes on roller skating and hula hooping.
