Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Famed wheelchair backflipper earns key to city

Aaron Fotheringham

Stephen R. Sylvanie / Special to the Home News

With the top of his head mere inches above the lip of a jump, Aaron Fotheringham soars into the Guinness World Book of Records by performing a back flip in his wheelchair at Doc Romeo skate park on Oct. 20.

Going For The Record

Aaron Fotheringham, 16, attempts to set a Guinness Book of World Record for a wheelchair backflip.

Las Vegas resident Aaron Fotheringham already had the attention of Guinness World Records in October after he became the first person to do a back flip in a wheelchair.

Mayor Oscar Goodman took notice at the Las Vegas City Council meeting on Dec. 17 and granted the 17-year-old the key to the city.

"This is something we do from our hearts and we want you to know every time you look at it how fondly we feel about you and how proud we are that you are one of us," Goodman said.

He then said jokingly, "If you go to the Mirage after 2 o'clock tonight, you'll be able to open up all the slots."

Fotheringham, who has spina bifida, has performed in local skatepark tournaments with his wheelchair since he was 6 years old.

"I'd just like to thank my family and all my supporters for making all this possible," he said.

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