Gutsy Attempt to Break World Record

Tuesday, 18 August 2009

Gutsy Attempt to Break World Record

USJ5 Youth's Attempt Foiled by Strong Wind and Bad Weather

Low Yee Ming giving the thumbs up at the start of his World Record Attempt.

LOW YEE MING was 1,024m close to breaking a 9-day-old world record for the greatest distance travelled balancing a football on the head on August 18.

He was well poised to make Malaysians proud but his one year effort to prepare for the feat was foiled by strong wind and rain which loomed above the Subang Jaya Municipal Council track.

Yee Ming balancing his football while being guided by his father Sam during the attempt

Everything went smoothly at 6pm. Good weather - bright skies and light wind. Yee Ming gave the thumbs up to mark the beginning of his attempt which will see him break a 9-day-old world record.

On 9 August 2009, Abraham Munoz set a new record for the greatest distance travelled balancing a football on the head: 4,444 m (14,580 ft).

With his father acting as navigator while he made his way along the track, Yee Ming looked set to clinch the record.

Just over an hour into the attempt and having covered 3.42km, Yee Ming appeared in trouble. Rain was almost over the field and wind speed picked up.

He was seen trying his very best to keep the football balanced but to his dismay, the football got swept off his forehead by the wind.

In despair....Yee Ming being consoled by his father Sam after his attempt was foiled by strong wind

Almost in tears, Yee Ming who hails from USJ5 said, "I will attempt a higher record. I was nervous attempting the record in front of so many people."

"I will definitely attempt to break the record again. I have been training for this day for more than a year," he said to reporters after the failed attempt.

After graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University Football Academy in partnership with Newcastle Under Lyme College with a Diploma of Sports Science returning home, Yee Ming returned home to attempt the feat.

A former student of SJKC Lick Hung and Sri KDU secondary school he left for UK and spent £11,000 in this football academy which gives the opportunity to play football professionally while gaining recognized academic qualifications to enter university.

Yee Ming's father, Sam Low said his son was helpless against the wind.

"He couldn't do anything about the wind. It's something for us to learn and do better."

"Whether he does it today or tomorrow, it will be the same," he said.

Yee Ming and his parents Karen and Sam, with younger sister Yee Xin cheered on after receiving the Malaysian Book of Records certificate from its representative Ricky Yap while Yee Ming's coaches look on.

Yee Ming did however set a Malaysian Book of Records for his effort.