Blind skateboarder Ryusei Ouchi now holds two Guinness World records

A visually impaired skateboarder from Japan, 19-year-old Ryusei Ouchi, now holds two Guinness World Records under his name. The two records include maximum number of skateboard ollies in one minute with a blindfold on, while the other is the maximum number of consecutive skateboard ollies also done with a blindfold on.

The 'ollie' is a skateboarding move that involves snapping the skateboard's tail off of a plane surface and getting the board completely airborne.

Days before setting the record, Ryusei suffered a back injury but decided to still break the world record for the most number of skateboard ollies within a minute with a blindfold on. He managed a record of 33 oillies in a minute. Eventually he went on to attempt the maximum consecutive blindfolded skateboard ollies, which requires incredible physical strength. Ryusei continued to ride the skateboard for nearly 20 minutes flat, where he registered an astounding 142 ollies, setting the world record.


Ryusei Ouchi set the record in an indoor skateboarding facility called SKiP FACTORY in Saitama, which is where he lives as well. His love for skateboarding began at the age of 14. Ever since he began skateboarding, he always envisioned himself achieving great feats. But life had different plans for him when he got diagnosed with a disease known as retinitis pigmentosa, which gradually led to the loss of his vision. He was diagnosed with the disease when he was in primary school.

When he first started skateboarding, the disease was just beginning to set in and he still possessed his vision. But over the years, his ability to see declined, until he eventually lost nearly 95% of his eyesight.

When Ryusei Ouchi spoke to Guinness, he admitted how difficult the journey has been for him so far and he had to relearn all his skills once he lost his eyesight. He has to overcome challenges that others did not face in order to set these records.

An epitome of courage and dare, Ryusei opted for a conventional way to enter in the record books by wearing a blindfold. Although, there is are separate categories specially made for people with visual impairments.