Manhattan, New York : In a powerful celebration of Nepali heritage, athletic excellence, and global unity, internationally acclaimed parkour athlete and 20-time Guinness World Record holder Dinesh Sunar was honored by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer during the Nepal Day Parade 2025 in New York City.
Senator Schumer, beaming with admiration, shook hands with Sunar and congratulated him on his achievements, stating:
“Congratulations on your extraordinary achievement—20 Guinness World Records in parkour and gymnastics! I’m proud of you, and I know New York and Nepal are proud of you too. Your energy, discipline, and patriotism are what make this city and our communities stronger.”
The event, organized by the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) New York Chapter to commemorate Nepal’s Republic Day, transformed Madison Avenue into a vibrant display of Nepal’s rich culture. The parade stretched from 38th Street to 25th Street and was attended by thousands from the Nepali diaspora and local supporters, with prominent guests including NYC Mayor Eric Adams.
Leading the parade was Dinesh Sunar, a national gymnast and the first international parkour athlete from Nepal. Sunar stunned the crowd with a breathtaking live performance—executing dynamic backflips while proudly waving both the Nepali and American flags. The gravity-defying routine was not just a showcase of physical prowess but also a tribute to his global accomplishments in parkour.
Sunar was presented with an honorary Guinness World Record certificate during the event, acknowledging his contributions to the international sports community and his ongoing efforts to represent Nepal on the world stage through his craft.
The parade was alive with culture and rhythm. Traditional Nepali performances including panchebaja, bhajans, deuda, hudkeli, sorathi, Maithili, Sherpa, and Tamang Selo dances added color and excitement to the streets of Manhattan. More than a dozen Nepali organizations from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut participated, making this year’s event the largest Nepal Day celebration in the United States to date.
Gokul Shrestha, a tourism promoter with the Government of Nepal, commented:
“The Nepal Day Parade introduces the spirit of Nepal to the world and brings our culture to the heart of global diversity.”
The program was chaired by Tshiring Sherpa, President of the NRNA New York Chapter, who expressed gratitude for the community’s unity and participation. Since its inception in 2016, the Nepal Day Parade has become a landmark event for the Nepali-American community and a fixture in New York City’s multicultural calendar.
For Dinesh Sunar, the day was both a professional milestone and a deeply personal moment. Raised in the remote village of Simal, Nepal, Sunar has risen to international fame through determination and creativity. His world records include feats such as the most backflips in one minute while blindfolded, most twisting flips, and most parkour vaults over obstacles.
“Today, I didn’t just flip through the air—I flipped the page of a story that began in a village and soared to Manhattan,” Sunar said emotionally. “I’m proud to represent Nepal and grateful to share this honor with both my countries—Nepal and the United States.”
As the sun set over Manhattan, the legacy of Dinesh Sunar’s journey—from village dust to global spotlight—stood tall amid the cheers of a proud diaspora, a glowing certificate in hand, and the flags of two nations soaring high.
