Girl displays skills to earn slot in Limca Book of Records

Chennai, Mar 7 (UNI) Dragging a Mahindra van weighing 2070 kg or three Maruti Omni Vans (total 3200 kg) with a rope on the teeth, or bending iron rods by holding them in the teeth is certainly a herculean task.

That too if it was done by a 14-year-old school girl, it called for exemplary skills, endurance and willpower.

This was precisely displayed by A Apshara, a ninth standard girl of the Velammal Matriculation Higher Secondary School in her maiden attempt to enter into the Limca Book of Records today.

She could not have timed her feat at a better time as the school management chose the International Women's Day eve to bring out her talent to the fore.

Cheered by thousands of her schoolmates, Apshara, braving the searing heat, kept the audience spellbound by dragging the Van to a distance of about 25 metres by a rope held in her teeth.

Minutes later, she shoved a van from the backside by keeping a iron rod on the chin, before pulling her weight together to drag three Maruti Omni vans to a distance of 20 feet, much to the delight of the cheering crowd and the media.

Later her mental toughness came to the fore when she twisted iron rods of six inch, eight inch and 12 inch diameters successfully.

First, she twisted single rods before bending two pipes at a time, showcasing her vast endurance skills.

A visibly elated Aphsara later told UNI that her aim was to enter into the Guiness Book of World Records.

''In 2003, I had dragged a minibus to a distance of 57 metres in 92 seconds. But today's feat is more demanding,'' she said, attributing her success to her trainer-cum-uncle Devarajan.

School Correspondent M V M Velmohan said since none of the officials from the Limca Book of Records could witness the feat, ''we will be sending the details, along with press clippings and photogrpahs to them in the next couple of days.'' Though several people might have performed such a feat, it was for the first time that a school girl had done it.

''We hope Apshara's feat will find a place in it. The school had thrice etched its name in the Limca book for the achievements made by its students. We are confident of finding a place in the book of records for the fourth time,'' he added.

Renowned gynaeacologist Dr Kamala Selvaraj of G G Hospital, who was amazed by the break-taking feat of Apshara, presented a cash award of Rs 25,000 in a spontaneous gesture and Rs 10,000 to her trainer.

Describing it as a stupendous feat, Dr Kamala, who was the Chief Guest at the function, complimented her effort and said ''she has a very strong back and strong teeth.'' Apshara also thanked her parents for the support given to her in her endeavours.

UNI