This young boy is about to break more records! 10-year-old Clark Kent Apuada is making waves as a swimmer – he beat the records of world-renowned Olympic swimmer, Michael Phelps.
Even the swimming superstar himself has recognized his prowess.
Big congrats to #clarkkent for smashing that meet record!!! Keep it up dude !!#dreambig
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) August 1, 2018
Here’s what we know so far about the little Superman.
Clark Kent is a Filipino born and raised in the US
A post revealed by Team Philippines on Facebook that the 10-year-old was born to Filipino parents but was raised in the United States. He swims for the Montery County Aquatic Team, located at Salinas, California.
He is also a kuya to two younger brothers.
He has big dreams outside of the swimming world.
Photo from KSBW Action News 8
In an interview with CBS news, Apuada’s swim coach Travis Rianda reveals that his student’s first goals included “becoming a scientist, Olympic gold medalist for the United States and a black belter.”
“He’s on track for all three of those,” he said.
Other than that, his dad Chris tells CNN that the 10-year-old also does piano lessons, martial arts and is participative in computer classes, coding or STEM programs.
What a driven kid!
He was named “Clark Kent” because his dad’s favorite superhero is Superman
Photo from Cynthia Apuada
We all know that behind the mask, DC Comics’ Superman is known as Clark Kent. In an interview with Huffington Post, Clark’s mom Cynthia shares that she was always fond of the name Clark and her husband’s favorite superhero is Superman.
“We’re always just telling people his name is Clark. But when they realize his full name, people just call him Superman,” Apuada said.
Like Phelps, Apuada set a world record at 10 years old.
Phelps was 10 years old when he participated at the Far Western Swimming Championship in 1995 where he made a world record of swimming the 100-meter butterfly at 1:10:48, also under the category of Apuada. Apuada broke the record just recently at 1:09:38, the NY Post writes.
“That was one of my dreams — to beat Michael Phelps’s record — since I was 7,” Apuada tells The Washington Post.
He learned how to swim at three years old!
The Straits Times reports that he learned how to swim at three years old but only began competitive swimming at seven years old.
His heart and mind are set to compete at the Olympics.
“Paris 2024 or Los Angeles 2028,” he tells The Huffington Post. “This record has motivated me to keep swimming, to keep striving and do everything I can to get to that elite level. Never give up on your dreams. Never.”
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Disclaimer: WheninManila.com does not own the images above. Credits go to Sports Illustrated and Cynthia Apuada.
