Nathan Leung started skipping rope in Hong Kong when he was seven years old. Leung says he first tried it on a lunch break at school. “My teacher saw my potential,” said the Calgary 18-year-old. “She brought me into the school team and I represented Hong Kong when I was at a young age.” Glad to be back in the sport When Leung and his family moved to Canada he put the rope down for four years. He says he missed it so he picked it up again and hasn’t missed a beat. “I like this sport because it’s really different compared to other sports,” he said. “This is really a creative sport and you can come with new tricks and even make your own trick.” “I really enjoy the jump rope community because everyone supports each other no matter what team you’re on.” Setting new records At the recent Alberta Provincial Jump Rope Championships in Calgary, Leung was skipping to new records. In the 30 second speed event, he recorded 100 jumps, setting an Alberta record and tying the Canadian record. In the triples under event, he tied an Alberta record with 203 triples. And in the three minute speed endurance event, Leung had 490 jumps, setting a National record. Leung says he wasn’t expected to set so many records. “I was really surprised at first because I didn’t feel like I broke the record,” he said. “Then after when I was looking at the scores I was amazed.” Halle Borden coaches at Calgary Skip Squad and also competes. She helps put the three minute endurance record into perspective. “They’re only counting his right foot,” she said. “So he got 490 right foot jumps. For comparison, I’ve been in the sport for 13 years and my personal best record is 395.” Goal: the Worlds Leung is set to compete in the National Rope Skipping Championships in Abbotsford, B.C. next month. His goal is go get to the World Championships. Rowan Reef is another coach at Skip Squad and he says he has no doubt that Nathan will get there. “Absolutely Nathan could be at worlds in Norway in 2027 in the summer,” he said. “It’s extremely expensive to go, there’s a big financial commitment. It also depends a lot on his teammates and if they can qualify as a team. It isn’t just an individual sport but he could qualify individually and he will.” The national championships start on May 15 and wrap us on the 18th in Abbotsford, B.C.
