New Delhi: Caleb Wu, a footballer from the USA has become an inspiration for many around the world after creating a Guinness world record with the same footballing skills that helped him overcome his mental struggles and prevented him from committing suicide. The 22-year-old set the world record for the most alternating football touches with his feet on a treadmill in 30 seconds.
Wu got a total of 75 touches in 30 seconds while running on the treadmill to claim the record. Football turned out to be the saviour for the youngster, who once came close to taking his own life after his battle with depression and mental health issues. The sport gave him a new lease of life and Wu wants to ensure he can preach the positive effect it had on him to many who are struggling and fighting their own battles.
Wu’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring as he found solace in his passion for football when his mental health issues nearly forced him to take extreme steps. Opening up on accepting the challenge of trying to juggle the ball while on a treadmill, Wu revealed he was always into juggling and doing freestyle tricks as a footballer and was determined to prove his friends wrong when they showed him a video of someone trying to do the challenge on a treadmill and failing.
“I always had a passion for soccer, I did a lot of juggling tricks and soccer/football freestyle,” Wu told Guinness World Records’ official website.
“My teammates challenged me as they showed me a video of someone trying and failing to do it so I wanted to prove them wrong – and it was a fun challenge. I was inspired because when I was younger I almost took my life and I wanted to make the most of my abilities and prove to myself that I can do awesome things,” he added.
Caleb Wu was also subjected to racism
Wu also shared how he had to deal with racism as an Asian-American teenager during his formative years in school where his classmates would often subject him to stereotypes. However, he ensured he managed to overcome everything by performing well for his college football team.
“There were the common stereotypes and people would say Asians are only good at math. I wanted to show them I could compete as an athlete and was able to play college soccer for four years and was a captain for one year,” shared the 22-year-old, now a Guinness world record holder.
Wu currently works as a healthcare account executive and also serves as a merchandise associate for Hartford Athletic, a professional football team u the US to remain associated with the sport even though he hasn’t taken it up professionally.
USA footballer Caleb Wu once came close to taking his own life after battling depression. However, he overcame his mental struggles to set a new guinness world record with skills that saved him from suicide. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
