Student is national rope skipping champion

By: Juan Carlos Monzón - Communications Advisory Office

Its practice demands excellent physical condition and an enviable sense of coordination; that's why Diego Alejandro Arismendi, a student of Sports Science and Physical Education in Soacha, fell in love with this discipline the day an exhibition of the sport came to his school. “That time, the event was led by a graduate of the University of Cundinamarca who, on behalf of the Institute of Recreation and Sports, wanted us to meet him. I liked the idea.

There I learned that the speed discipline consists of performing as many jumps as possible in thirty seconds, while in freestyle, individual and group pirouettes are performed while one or two ropes move harmoniously to the rhythm of a song. For the latter, the judges evaluate the complexity of the choreography. That's what they explained to me, I loved it, and I started practicing with the help of the institute. Then, in 2014, we participated in a national festival for the discipline with two teams.”.

This slim, small young man, who holds the personal record of 164 jumps in thirty seconds, insists that it's a difficult sport. "You have to coordinate your hands and feet very well, and when they're jumping, the beaters—the people who move the ropes—have to be able to read the movements of those jumping so as not to make a mistake.".

You might be interested in: Freestyle and speed rope jumping.

That's why, when she started studying at UCundinamarca, she took it upon herself to promote the sport and created the Just Jumpers Club. “I asked for permission to train in this discipline at the university with other students, and it was approved. It's been a huge success, so much so that some knowledge managers have incorporated it into their classes.”.

Soon more people began joining this pioneer of a discipline that, according to experts, helps with cardiovascular health and muscle toning, among other benefits. “We created a departmental championship and there are already six teams,” he says proudly.

His track record is enviable, and he has participated in the National Rope Skipping Festival held annually in Medellín. There, he has faced many rivals and defeated them with his fast and graceful jumps in the freestyle category. “I was runner-up in 2019 in individual speed and third place in individual and double freestyle; in 2020, I was champion in individual speed and runner-up in double speed; and in 2021, I was champion in senior speed and champion in group freestyle, among many other accolades.”.

For now, with the help of UCundinamarca, an institution that promotes the improvement of the quality of life of the university community through sports and recreational activities, Diego Alejandro is undergoing rigorous training. “The university has lent us the facilities to practice. This is how we are preparing for the competitions in October, which will be held in Medellín and this time with international delegations. We will be performing individual and group routines. In total, there will be five of us.”.

His dream is to participate in a world championship where the Chinese, Americans, and Swedes are powerhouses. “This event is held every two years, and the next one will be in Japan. I hope to be there competing or coaching a group of young people.”.

If you'd like to learn more about our graduate's jump rope club, click here. here.

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