Runner dribbles his way to new world record

5:27pm Tuesday 15th April 2008

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Jean-Yves Kanyamibwa bounced his way to a Guinness World Record on Sunday after completing the London Marathon while dribbling a basketball.

Friends thought Jean-Yves was a basket case when he originally told them the idea.

"I had dreamt about the finish for a long time and I was on the TV and even the announcer was calling my name. It was a great moment."

Jean-Yves Kanyamibwa

But after completing the course in four hours 30 minutes and 29 seconds the 19-year-old medical student from Tooting now holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon run while dribbling a basketball.

A proud Jean-Yves said: "It started last year. I love basketball and I do a lot of jogging to keep fit, and I was joking with friends that I could run a marathon.

"And when I went to watch people run the New York Marathon I thought I could run it with the basketball, and I've always wanted to hold a world record."

He started training in January and contacted Guinness World Records, which carried out checks on the day and confirmed he was indeed a world record holder.

The only two stipulations were he was not allowed to double dribble, and if the ball was dropped he had to pick it up and start again from the same spot.

Jean-Yves said the race itself was unforgettable.

"People around me tended to give me a little room but the heavy rain meant the ball didn't bounce that well in places.

"The start was really crowded and I hit the proverbial wall about half way round at Tower Bridge, it was not pretty," he said.

"But the crowds helped me on and the finish was great.

"I had dreamt about the finish for a long time and I was on the TV and even the announcer was calling my name. It was a great moment."

There was also a serious side to Jean-Yves' run. He completed the 26.2-mile course for charity VICTA (Visually Impaired Children Taking Action), raising £700.

But he is appealing for donations to help him reach £1,000.

The Mellison Road resident will be taking time out to revise for end-of-year exams, but is already turning his attention to slamming another record.

He said: "I'm thinking of doing another marathon, this time with two balls."