It’s a rarity for a Michael Phelps record to be equalled, let alone being broken. But a swimming prodigy with a superhero name has just done that. And he’s just 10 Years old!
His name is Clark Kent Apuada. And of course, and appropriately so, he’s been nicknamed “Superman.”
Clark, Over the weekend, competed at the Far West International Championship in California, where he won the 100-meter butterfly in a record 1:09:38.
He broke Phelp’s record by the whiskers as he was just a second better than the 100-meter butterfly record that the swimming legend set at the championship in 1995.
It had gone unbroken, while Phelps went on to win 28 Olympic medals.
Even more impressive, Clark has only been swimming competitively for four years.
“This kid is unlike any other young man that I’ve ever coached,” Clark’s coach Dia Riana told CNN. “He’s always stood out, he’s just, he’s kind of a savant of sorts.”
Clark’s burgeoning supernatural abilities are not limited to the aqua environment.
“He does piano lessons, he does martial arts, and at school if there’s a computer class, coding, or stem programs he’s always joining,” his father, Chris Apuada, said.
Clark says the load doesn’t get too heavy.
“I deal with it really well, I just have to balance,” he told CNN.
“I love swimming because I have a lot of people supporting me and my coaches are always there for me and my parents are always there,” Clark said.
And he has a message to others trying to discover their own powers, as Clark believes it’s a matter of determination and perseverance.
“Dream big,” he said, “and always focus on your dreams and have fun.”
